[19:17] * @Morgan watches in silence
[19:18] (Edward) My Lady, you have the voice of an angel. I'm honoured to have heard it. *Molly smiles, quietly thanking him*
[19:19] (Edward) *he releases her hand*
[19:19] (Edward) And your hair! There isn't an object in all Theah that comes close to comparing to its vibrant loveliness.
[19:21] (Edward) *Molly blushes, smiling against her better judgement, then casts Morgan a glance*
[19:21] * @Morgan watches, looking impassive
[19:22] (Edward) My brother is a very lucky man...*Morgan feels a brief flash of her possessiveness once more, but there's no trace of it at all in her expression*
[19:22] (Edward) Molly: Not at all, it is I who is blessed to have such a wonderful husband at my side
[19:23] * Edward smiles at her, a little warmer than Morgan would like. Morgan hears her thoughts very quietly**
[19:24] (Edward) and if you do anything to hurt him again there will be a world of trouble between us.
[19:26] (Edward) *she again looks towards her husband, frowning ever so slightly before smiling at the others*
[19:26] (Edward) Ve: *she ushers a slightly reluctant Edward away, over to Martha* Frau Forrester, Molly's mother
[19:27] * Edward looks briefly surprised before turning his charm on her, bowing once more before kissing her hand* Now either you're all trying to make a fool of me and you are sisters, or you were scandalously young when she was born!
[19:27] (Edward) *Martha laughs, blushing* My eldest son is 32, though I was only 17 when _he_ was born.
[19:27] (Edward) *he shakes his head with mock disbelief* Whatever is in the blood of Avalonian women does wonders for their youth. I had suspected it was just my beautiful mother, but I see now it is a blessing upon you all.
[19:28] (Edward) *they all laugh. He looks to Inga, once more repeating the bowing and kissing. HH looks briefly to Morgan, too skilled to change his expression of simple stupidity, yet Morgan knows that he is unimpressed by Edward's attention to his betrothed*
[19:29] * @Morgan watches Edward, briefly shaking his head at HeinzHarold
[19:36] (Edward) Like a lovely Eisen Edelweiss in the middle of a bouquet of Avalon roses... *she blushes deeply. He looks to HH with a cheerful expression, still very much under the ruse of HHs dimwitted demeanour* You've really excelled yourself, HeinzHarold.
[19:38] (@Morgan) *HH nods* yessir
[19:38] * Edward releases her hand, looking around
[19:39] (Edward) What wonderful company to come home to! *he notices then that Adalbrecht is missing, looking to Morgan questioningly*
[19:40] * @Morgan shrugs slightly before looking to HeinzHarold
[19:40] (@Morgan) Would you go and find my father please?
[19:41] (Edward) *Verity, Martha and Inga appear completely charmed by Edward, and though Molly fakes such a reaction, Morgan knows her too well to be convinced. His wife sits back at the piano, looking to her husband, HH and then her blonde friend*
[19:41] (Edward) Duet with me, Inga?
[19:43] (Edward) I: *she nods, sitting down as HH leaves*
[19:44] (Edward) *Edward smiles at Molly once more. It reminds Morgan of a more charming version of Kai* My brother does not sing with you? *he looks at Morgan with amusement*
[19:44] (@Morgan) I don't sing.
[19:46] * Edward smiles once more
[19:46] (Edward) What a shame!
[19:48] (Edward) *Molly smiles at Morgan then Edward* I think he prefers to have his full concentration on listening, though I like to provide music, he knows that I sing every song for him
[19:53] * Edward smiles, and Molly and Inga begin to sing. Edward goes to sit with Verity and Martha in quiet conversation
[19:55] ** You're now known as Claudia
[19:55] (Claudia) He hasn't changed then
[19:55] * @Morgan shrugs slightly, speaking quietly
[19:55] (@Morgan) Not so as you'd notice
[19:57] (Claudia) As long as he doesn't try that nonsense with me we'll be fine.
[19:57] * @Morgan smiles faintly
[19:57] (@Morgan) I happen to find that thought rather amusing
[19:59] (Claudia) We could see whose nose-breaking costs the Graf most to fix
[19:59] * @Morgan nods slightly
[19:59] (@Morgan) mine...
[20:00] (Claudia) I wouldn't be so sure
[20:01] * @Morgan shrugs
[20:01] * Claudia frowns, rubbing the arm Molly healed
[20:01] * @Morgan looks at her
[20:01] (@Morgan) problem?
[20:02] (Claudia) Maybe I'd run him through, who can say
[20:02] (Claudia) No, though I think HeinzHarold might have one
[20:03] (@Morgan) I doubt it...
[20:04] (Claudia) **hh opens the door, catching the end of her statement then Morgan's* Doubt I have what? A brain, an ounce of sense? *he grins for the benefit of watchers*
[20:05] (@Morgan) I don't recall that being in question...
[20:06] (Claudia) Hh: *he looks to Morgan laughing* Too true, supreme overlord. Your father is in his study...
[20:06] * @Morgan raises an eyebrow slightly
[20:10] (Claudia) Hh: He's in a foul temper. His actual words were "Go away, HeinzHarold, and you can tell Morgan I do not wish to speak to him either tonight"
[20:11] * @Morgan looks at Claudia
[20:11] (@Morgan) I'm rather glad I didn't send you...
[20:11] (Claudia) He'd probably be paying to fix his own nose
[20:12] * @Morgan nods
[20:12] (@Morgan) alright... I'll go and ask him what his issue is
[20:13] (Claudia) *Molly and Inga finish their songs, and go to say goodnight to the others. Edward rises and bows. They then come to Claudia HH and Morgan
[20:15] (Claudia) M: *she watches her husband closely as the others say goodnight, speaking quietly* I'm retiring, liebes herz. Will you wake me if I am already asleep?
[20:15] (@Morgan) If you wish me to
[20:17] (Claudia) *she  looks a little unsure of herself. Where she's said similar before in a joking or teasing manner, now her tone is serious
[20:17] (Claudia) Unless you would prefer separate rooms tonight?
[20:17] * @Morgan shakes his head
[20:18] * Claudia nods, looking relieved
[20:18] (Claudia) Please wake me.
[20:18] * @Morgan nods
[20:18] (@Morgan) alright blossom
[20:19] (Claudia) **Edward watches the newlyweds*
[20:19] (Claudia) **Molly says goodnight to the others and then she and Inga go*
[20:22] (Claudia) **there's no sounds at all when he gets near the study
[20:23] * @Morgan knocks on the door
[20:23] ** You're now known as Adalbrecht
[20:23] (Adalbrecht) Go away.
[20:23] * @Morgan knocks again
[20:24] (Adalbrecht) I said go away!
[20:24] (@Morgan) Not going to happen.
[20:25] (Adalbrecht) **he can smell the faintest hint of burnt paper, blokners and candlewax
[20:25] (Adalbrecht) Go away Morgan.
[20:26] (@Morgan) No
[20:26] (Adalbrecht) Then you can stand out there all night.
[20:27] (@Morgan) Thats also not about to happen
[20:27] (Adalbrecht) Good. Go away
[20:28] (@Morgan) Open the door
[20:29] (Adalbrecht) No. I don't wish to speak to you, or anyone. Leave me in peace.
[20:29] (@Morgan) Fine, then I'll open the door
[20:29] (Adalbrecht) It is locked.
[20:30] (@Morgan) I like that you think that matters
[20:30] (Adalbrecht) Break my door and there'll be trouble.
[20:30] (@Morgan) Open it then, it'll save the bother
[20:31] (Adalbrecht) Morgan, just do as you're told!
[20:31] * @Morgan thumps his shoulder against the door, not hard but hard enough to make a noise
[20:32] (Adalbrecht) You've been warned.
[20:32] (@Morgan) so have you
[20:33] * Adalbrecht doesn't respond
[20:33] * @Morgan steps back before kicking at the door right by the lock
[20:34] (Adalbrecht) **The door breaks exactly how he wants
[20:34] * Adalbrecht looks furious
[20:35] (Adalbrecht) You will apologise, and you will pay to fix it!
[20:35] * @Morgan shrugs slightly
[20:35] (@Morgan) I'll pay, certainly, but I'll not apologise
[20:36] * Adalbrecht 's desk holds a half empty blokners bottle, a little candle and a silver platter with burnt parchment on it
[20:36] (Adalbrecht) You damn well will. You aren't the Graf yet.
[20:36] * @Morgan moves towards the desk
[20:37] (@Morgan) No, I'm not... but I'm Eisen and I said I'd do something... it'd be hypocritical to hold that against me
[20:37] * Adalbrecht frowns deeply, drinking straight from the bottle
[20:37] (Adalbrecht) What do you want?
[20:37] (@Morgan) what are we burning?
[20:38] (Adalbrecht) _We_ aren't burning anything.
[20:38] (@Morgan) something's being burned, there's more than one of us... we're burning something
[20:39] (Adalbrecht) **the scraps he can see contain a header "Official Notif-" and half of Adalbrecht's signature
[20:39] (Adalbrecht) What are you doing here?
[20:39] (@Morgan) What do you think I'm doing here?
[20:40] (Adalbrecht) Angering me.
[20:40] * @Morgan shakes his head
[20:41] (@Morgan) Thats an effect my presence is having, not why I'm here... what are you notifying?
[20:41] (Adalbrecht) Something that I've changed my mind about
[20:41] (@Morgan) you may as well tell me... it'll save time
[20:42] (Adalbrecht) Sometimes what seems like a good decision doesn't turn out to be one in the cold light of day
[20:43] * Adalbrecht drinks again. He's clearly on edge as well as angry
[20:43] (@Morgan) Don't talk in riddles, just come out and say it
[20:44] (Adalbrecht) Fine. *he slams the bottle down, folding his arms* I was giving HeinzHarold a baronetcy ((see pm))
[20:46] (@Morgan) and... you've changed your mind...
[20:46] (Adalbrecht) Yes
[20:47] (@Morgan) why?
[20:47] (Adalbrecht) Because I apparently make stupid decisions when my heart rules my head.
[20:49] (@Morgan) You don't think he'd make a good or worthy sir?
[20:50] (Adalbrecht) And explain why we hold the village idiot in such high regard to give him a title?
[20:51] (@Morgan) why explain it?
[20:51] (Adalbrecht) People will think us foolish
[20:51] * Adalbrecht drinks again
[20:52] (@Morgan) People already think I'm crazy, it hasn't stopped me becoming friends with an Eisenfurst.... give me the bottle
[20:52] * Adalbrecht hands it over
[20:52] * @Morgan drinks some before putting it on the desk
[20:53] (Adalbrecht) It seemed like a fantastic idea at the time. He deserves it. I was going to say it was a reward for his loyalty to the family
[20:54] (@Morgan) Well there you are, a nice tidy explanation that also happens to be true
[20:55] (Adalbrecht) But my father wouldn't have, nor would his
[20:55] * Adalbrecht picks the blokners back up
[20:56] (@Morgan) Congratulations, you're more forward thinking than your father or his...
[20:57] (Adalbrecht) I am more a fool than either them, and by far a worse Graf and father
[20:57] * @Morgan holds his hand out for the bottle
[20:57] (@Morgan) You're being foolish, I'll grant that.
[20:57] * Adalbrecht drinks, then hands it back
[20:58] (Adalbrecht) I have been very foolish. That ends now.
[20:59] (Adalbrecht) I can not change the past, but I can change the future
[20:59] (@Morgan) No... I dont think you'll be doing this... You're a good graf and you have a damn fine village to evidence that, and you've raised two sons that are strong willed and competent...
[21:00] * Adalbrecht watches him intently
[21:01] (Adalbrecht) My people died on my watch because I hesitated in taking action. Neither of my sons respected or trusted me enough to come to me. How is that a good Graf or father?
[21:02] * @Morgan takes a mouthful of blokners before swallowing
[21:02] * Adalbrecht holds his hand out for the bottle
[21:03] (@Morgan) You were in an impossible position and, yes, you hesitated... because no option was palateable for you. But you aren't the one that put them in danger through stubborness, or a misguided sense of what is proper
[21:06] (Adalbrecht) I wasn't in an impossible position. My father would have done what was necessary the day of the wedding without question. I didn't _want_ to send you away. I am the Graf, and the responsibility for every single person in Sudlachenburg lies with me.
[21:07] * @Morgan sips the drink again
[21:07] (@Morgan) You and I both know its not that simple
[21:08] * Adalbrecht shrugs slightly
[21:08] (Adalbrecht) Tell me, if you were me, that you wouldn't feel entirely responsible for their deaths?
[21:10] (@Morgan) Absolutely I would... when it comes down to it, though, I put you in that position, and acting against your own doesn't come naturally or easily.
[21:13] (Adalbrecht) The blame is mine there also. If I hadn't raised you to think Eisen men shouldn't have mistresses, maybe it'd have been an option for you
[21:14] * @Morgan shakes his head
[21:14] (@Morgan) I wouldn't have accepted that, so you can stop thinking that
[21:14] * Adalbrecht sighs heavily
[21:14] (Adalbrecht) If I'd only done things differently...
[21:15] (@Morgan) If only I had... or he had... or society expected different things of us...
[21:16] * Adalbrecht nods, drinking from the bottle which is rapidly approaching empty
[21:17] (Adalbrecht) I suppose we'll all feel their blood on our hands for the rest of our lives
[21:17] * @Morgan nods
[21:17] (@Morgan) probably... if its any consolation, I've no doubt they're at peace
[21:18] (Adalbrecht) The innocents usually are
[21:19] * @Morgan holds his hand out for the bottle
[21:19] (@Morgan) So... HeinzHarold...
[21:19] * Adalbrecht passes it back
[21:19] * @Morgan drinks
[21:20] (Adalbrecht) You aren't afraid my exuberance will get the better of me anymore?
[21:20] (@Morgan) I rather think its a wonderful idea, and rather touching
[21:20] * Adalbrecht nods slowly
[21:20] (Adalbrecht) Maybe it's not such a bad idea after all...
[21:21] (Adalbrecht) ...though the money, plot of land and house being especially built...*he smiles a little*
[21:22] (@Morgan) You know he deserves it
[21:22] * Adalbrecht nods
[21:23] (Adalbrecht) I _was_ looking forward to seeing the look on your face, I must admit
[21:23] (@Morgan) it saves me being on edge about whatever you have planned
[21:24] (Adalbrecht) What did you think I might do?
[21:24] (@Morgan) I had absolutely no idea
[21:24] * Adalbrecht smiles slightly
[21:25] (Adalbrecht) You see how it is for those of us on the receiving end of _your_ unpredictability now!
[21:25] (@Morgan) Yes, but my ideas are invariably good... mostly
[21:26] * Adalbrecht nods, looking at the bottle, then to Morgan
[21:26] (Adalbrecht) Finish it. I have work to do
[21:27] (@Morgan) I plan to... dont be up too late, I dont want to be explaining to HeinzHarold why you look like you fell asleep in a bush
[21:28] * Adalbrecht winks at him
[21:28] (Adalbrecht) Likewise
[21:28] * @Morgan steps forward, hugging his father
[21:28] (@Morgan) Don't be so Eisen all the time... its not good for you.
[21:29] * Adalbrecht hugs him back tightly
[21:29] (Adalbrecht) Thank you.
[21:30] * @Morgan nods, letting go
[21:31] (@Morgan) I'd recommend explaining the door being broken as... orcs, perhaps
[21:31] * Adalbrecht smiles
[21:32] (Adalbrecht) I suspect people will just assume I've upset our Veisgrafin again
[21:32] (@Morgan) possibly
[21:32] (Adalbrecht) Goodnight son
[21:33] (@Morgan) Goodnight father
[21:33] * Adalbrecht shuts the door behind him, or as shut as it now can be.
[21:43] ** You are now disconnected