 * Molly walks along beside him. The house is quiet, though in parts of it the heavy rain and rolling thunder are very loud. Her expression is generally neutral and relaxed, though her eyes are watchful. She concentrates a moment on how tightly he's holding on to her hand * @Morgan 's grip is firm but not hard * Molly watches him a moment, trying to judge his mood (Molly) Once Sorgi has set off, and I am armed, we're going to need to explain all of this to Varick... * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) that's going to take some doing * Molly sighs (Molly) Especially with his birthday the day after tomorrow * @Morgan nods * Molly looks thoughtful as they get to the staircase up to their rooms, which is too narrow for walking side by side (Molly) I am going to need a someone to go into the town for me * @Morgan leads the way up the stairs (@Morgan) oh? * Molly waits to see if he lets go of her hand, which he doesn't  (Molly) Four days confined in a house... I'm going to need something for Varick and I to do, as well as a present for him for Monday * @Morgan nods * Molly goes up the stairs close behind him. A little way down the hall, they reach the nursery where Sorgi has been keeping an eye over Varick alongside one of the maids (Molly) Shall I go in and wait with Varick whilst you talk with Sorgi, or would you prefer we talk to Sorgi together? (@Morgan) go wait with Varick, I'll talk to Sorgi * Molly nods, letting go of his hand * Molly passes him three of the four letters (Molly) Could you please ask him to give these to someone to deliver? I shall pay him from my allowance for anything he has to spend * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) as you wish * Molly bites her lower lip a moment, then goes into the room. (Molly) **He can hear a murmur of conversation before Sorgi steps out ** You're now known as Sorgi * Sorgi looks very serious (Sorgi) M'lord? (@Morgan) I've got a task for you, and its urgent * Sorgi nods (Sorgi) I thought it might be (Sorgi) What can I do m'lord? (@Morgan) I need you to go to Sudlachenburg and, basically, fetch my father. The Eisenfurst requires his attendance with all haste * Sorgi nods (Sorgi) I'll get my things. Claudia? (@Morgan) She's staying. I need her here. We'll be sending a guard with you. Id also appreciate if you could see to it that these letters are delivered. You will of course be reimbursed for any costs incurred * Sorgi nods (Sorgi) Very good, m'lord (@Morgan) Be careful Sorgi, it could well be dangerous * Sorgi holds out his hand for the letters (Sorgi) I will be careful * @Morgan hands them over (@Morgan) Good. I wouldn't like to see Claudia's reaction to your being hurt * Sorgi tucks them into his jacket. There's nothing in his expression to give away any feelings. (Sorgi) She'd be relieved not to keep getting beaten at cards * Sorgi looks at Morgan (@Morgan) There aren't many I trust, Sorgi... come back safely so that number isn't reduced. * Sorgi bows his head a moment (Sorgi) I'm honoured, m'lord. * Sorgi looks at the door a moment (Sorgi) Right, I'll go and get my things and get going. Am I taking one of your fast horses? * @Morgan nods * Sorgi bows to Morgan, waiting to be dismissed * @Morgan motions for him to go * Sorgi walks away. The storm provides another disquieting rumble of thunder * @Morgan goes into the room * Molly is Sat in the little parlour on the couch, eyes closed. He can hear Varick being bathed in the other room, door ajar * Molly takes a deep breath, then opens her eyes. She smiles at him softly, pleased to see him even though he's barely been gone (Molly) Did he go? (@Morgan) of course * Molly nods. She looks at the clock. It's twenty after nine. She frowns briefly, standing up (Molly) Good * Molly thinks a moment (Molly) I need to get changed, but I also would prefer to have Varick watched by someone familiar (@Morgan) I'll stay (Molly) You'll let me go alone? (@Morgan) Who would you suggest stays here? * Molly smiles slightly (Molly) I have no idea. I am not used to having to think this way * Molly goes to the door * @Morgan holds out one of his knives (@Morgan) take this at least * Molly comes to him. She looks at him intently a moment before firmly wrapping her arms round his neck, careful of the blade * Molly gives him a quick squeeze before letting go (Molly) I will be as quick as I can. I would really, really appreciate you ringing for a pot of tea and lots of sugar to be brought up * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I'll see to it * Molly takes the knife (Molly) Thank you * Molly goes out, shutting the door quietly (Molly) **the noises of Varick talking at the maid continue. He's telling her all about Morgan's dog. * @Morgan smiles faintly (Molly) **The nursery suite is set at the inside of the building, overlooking the square inner courtyard. It consists of a parlour which is the only access to the 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. It's strikes him as fairly defensible. (Molly) **ten minutes pass, and it sounds as if Varick is about to get out of the bath** * @Morgan rings a bell for a servant (Molly) ** the male kitchen servant from the previous night appears at the door a minute later (Molly) My Lord? (@Morgan) Could you bring some tea and sugar please (Molly) S: Of course, my Lord, anything else? * @Morgan shakes his head (@Morgan) no, thank you (Molly) S: *He bows and goes. It takes him two minutes to return with a tray. Varick is getting dried off.* My Lord, Captain Sorgi was just riding out whilst I was downstairs and he asked me to let you know he'd left, and asked for you to say goodbye to Claudia for him...? * @Morgan smiles slightly, nodding (Molly) *He leaves the tea and goes. He almost bumps into Molly who is coming back in. With mutual apologies, he goes and she enters, shutting the door. Wearing the blue trousers, white shirt and blue waistcoat he bought her in Seeufer with her knee high boots and the strange dagger belt Claudia gave her as a wedding present on top, complete with his knife and her crested dagger, she looks serious and unusually formidable. * Molly leans the sword he had made for her that matches his just behind the door. * Molly looks to him a moment (Molly) Would you like this knife back, liebling? (@Morgan) if you feel you're suitably equipped... * Molly smiles a little. There's a hint of determination in it (Molly) I am more than equipped should the situation arise * Molly takes it back to him * @Morgan nods, taking the knife back * Molly goes to stand by the mirror, taking down the top half of her hair that had been prettily styled. She shakes it out, tossing it from side to side. Thinking he can't see, she watches his body language closely in the mirror, trying to read him once more * @Morgan watches her hair moving * Molly blushes, gently running her fingers through it * Molly takes the sticks he sharpened last time Alarice posed a threat to her, holding them between her teeth a moment. She still watches him * @Morgan pours two cups of tea (Molly) Four sugars please, liebling (@Morgan) four? * Molly nods, tilting her head back to smooth the curls into one ponytail at her nape (Molly) I haven't eaten since lunchtime yesterday, and can't eat for another 12 hours or so * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) makes sense * @Morgan adds the sugar * Molly twists her hair tightly, working upwards. She folds in the ends and pins it before inserting the makeshift weapons (Molly) Thank you * Molly turns slightly, appraising the new hairstyle in the mirror (Molly) What thinks you? (@Morgan) very fetching * Molly blushes, then comes and sips her tea. She scrunches her eyes, nose wrinkling (Molly) That is simply horrid (@Morgan) I would imagine it is * Molly smiles at him, taking his hand (Molly) Any idea how we going to te-... *She's interrupted by the sound of Varick opening the door* (Molly) ** They stand in the nursery parlour waiting for Varick to come in. The mantle clock chimes very quietly for a quarter to ten. Molly is just about to ask how they'll tell him when she's interrupted by the boy's entrance. In his hand he has paper and pencils. His eyes light up at seeing Morgan ** You're now known as Varick (Varick) Morgan! I've made you a picture! (@Morgan) have you, little man? * Varick comes over, hugging Morgan's legs. Molly sips her over sweet tea, wrinkling her nose once more (Varick) It's of Captain Ulysses ((his cat)) and his buried treasure (@Morgan) excellent (Varick) [20:50] * Varick holds up the drawing. It's clear that his skills are developing, and there's potential for him to become quite good. The familiar cat is sat on an unfamiliar beach next to a spade (@Morgan) Its very good * Varick shows Molly. He suddenly frowns (Varick) Why are you wearing trousers? (Varick) **she smiles a little, then looks at Morgan** (Varick) Mol: It is something you're going to see quite often whilst we're sailing I think, it's much more practical than most of my dresses. * Varick nods (Varick) You look like Claudia (Varick) *she laughs, but there's a hint of tension in it. She bites her lower lip a moment, unsure how to explain their mandatory confinement * (Varick) **there's a loud low rumble of thunder overhead (@Morgan) Varick, there's some very important but slightly dangerous things happening, so we need to make sure you and Molly are safe * Varick looks worried (Varick) Because of the storm? (@Morgan) No no, thats just a storm (Varick) **Molly forces down the last of her tea and sets the cup down before kneeling down beside him** (Varick) The storm, and the other issues will pass, and everything will be just fine, Mauschen **she smiles reassuringly at him, hugging him as he wraps his arms around her. Her expression doesn't change as she glances up to read Morgan's expression over Varick's shoulder* * @Morgan places his hand on Varicks head * Varick looks up to Morgan as Molly moves to sit on the floor (Varick) What are the dangerous things? (@Morgan) Thats not important. What is important is that I will keep you safe * Varick looks up at him nodding. He looks utterly trusting (Varick) I know you will * Varick smiles slightly at Morgan (Varick) **Molly smiles slightly at Morgan** (Varick) And I am here, and Claudia, and all the Eisenfursts guards. We're most likely in one of the very safest houses in the Konigsreich. *she frowns briefly a moment, but Varick doesn't see it, still watching Morgan* * Varick nods (Varick) Where is Captain Sorgi? We were going to play soldiers (@Morgan) I've had to send him on an errand (Varick) Will he be back for my birthday? ((Day after tomorrow, 4 full days travel)) (@Morgan) No, I'm afraid not * Varick looks sad (Varick) Can we climb the tree for my birthday? (@Morgan) I'll talk with the EIsenfurst, see what we can do * Varick looks happy (Varick) When the storm has stopped, can we ride the horses? (@Morgan) we'll see (Varick) **Molly frowns slightly, looking thoughtful** (Varick) Mol: I thought perhaps you might like to learn some new skills, Mauschen. It's better if we stay near the house for a few days * Varick looks to her as she rises and goes to a small desk (Varick) What skills? (Varick) *she makes a detailed list, occasionally pausing and counting by tapping the tip of her thumb to each finger tip* (Varick) Mol: sewing, to start with * Varick looks to Morgan (Varick) Sewing is for girls. * @Morgan shakes his head slowly (@Morgan) I sew * Varick looks disbelieving (Varick) I've never seen you sew (@Morgan) I don't often need to, but I can. I've made a few pouches, too (Varick) **Molly continues her list * Varick nods (Varick) When I have a wife, I won't need to sew either ** Morgan has said your nick on Morgan * Varick sighs (Varick) But if I don't find a wife, I will need to sew, won't I? (@Morgan) Sewings a very useful skill, my young friend (Varick) Then I won't need my wife to do it for me, I can just do it myself (Varick) Mol: *she comes back, paper in hand, a little distracted* That you can. (Varick) Like how Morgan can sew, and doesn't have to ask you (Varick) Mol: *she looks up* hmm? Yes, something like that. (Varick) **she looks to Morgan** I need my sewing box so I know what else to add. Do you want me to go, or stay here with Varick? (@Morgan) Stay here, I'll go (Varick) Mol: it's in Fyodors chest. * @Morgan frowns (@Morgan) Right. Anything else? (Varick) **she taps her lip a moment* My other trousers, please * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) Stay put, I won't be long (Varick) **she watches him closely, walking with him to the door. She speaks very quietly** we aren't going anywhere, liebes herz. Be careful please.  