(Fuchs) (@Fuchs) **Claudia appears from inside the room, shutting the door behind her before seeing them
(Fuchs) (Morgan) might be best if she stays home, given the noise
(Fuchs) (@Fuchs) *Claudia turns, inclining her head to Morgan before looking Fuchs over then doing likewise
(Fuchs) * @Fuchs bows to her
(Fuchs) (@Fuchs) Good morning, madam.
(Fuchs) (@Fuchs) *Claudia inclines her head again, looking at Morgan briefly
(Fuchs) C: everything alright?
* @Morgan tilts his head
(@Morgan) After a fashion, aye
(Fuchs) C: *she nods, making the slightest of gestures "is he a danger?"
* @Morgan gestures no
(Fuchs) C: *she unlocks and opens the door for them*
(Fuchs) *Molly is sat at the head of the table, drinking tea.  Varick is sat on Marta's lap, stuffing his face with toast, and still in his nightgown. All eyes turn to the opening door*
* Fuchs waits for Morgan to lead the way, brushing off his clothes a moment
* @Morgan leads into the room, glancing round briefly before looking at Molly
(@Morgan) blossom, might I introduce Colonel Fuchs... colonel, Vesigrafin Koertig
(Fuchs) M: *she rises from the table, coming to stand at Morgan's side, giving her husband a warm, affectionate smile before turning it on the head of security.  He looks slightly surprised. She holds out her hand for him to bow over, the correct greeting for their stations.
(Fuchs) I am honoured to meet you, my Lady
(Fuchs) *she laughs softly* It is I who is honoured, Colonel Fuchs, my husband speaks highly of you, and your dedication is very appreciated.
* Fuchs bows over her hand briefly before releasing it. He looks both surprised and humbled by the praise. "Thank you, my Lady. I apologise for being late to breakfast"
(Fuchs) M: *she looks to Morgan* Will you be staying to eat also, liebling?
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) just a little though
(Fuchs) V: *he comes over, wrapping himself round Morgan's legs* Look Morgan,  Marta has come back to look after me!
* @Morgan looks down
(@Morgan) I know little man. Thats very good isn't it
(Fuchs) *The former nanny stands, and comes to curtsey to both of them. Molly casts a smile at Fuchs again* M: I am most remiss in my manners, I do hope you'll excuse me. Colonel Fuchs, this is Marta Hesta, Varick's former nanny and a midwife from Seeufer. Marta, this is Colonel Fuchs, his Grace the Eisenfurst's very capable head of security.
* Fuchs bows to the nanny
(Fuchs) V: *he holds his arms up to Morgan to be picked up*
* @Morgan does so
(Fuchs) V: *he whispers* who is that man?
* @Morgan speaks quietly
(@Morgan) he's in charge of keeping the Eisenfurst safe
(Fuchs) V: is he a stranger?
(@Morgan) To you, yes... would you like to meet him so he's not a stranger?
(Fuchs) V: *he nods.  his jammy hand sticks to Morgan's neck*
* @Morgan looks at Fuchs
(@Morgan) Colonel... my young friend here would like to meet you
* Fuchs comes closer, bowing deeply
(Fuchs) Good morning to you, my Lord
(@Morgan) Varick, this is colonel Fuchs... colonel, this is Varick, Freiarr of Koln
(Fuchs) V: Pleased to meet you sir *he smiles* You have red hair like Molly! *Fuchs smiles at him, then looks at Molly, who smiles warmly, then back to Varick* F: Mine is nowhere near as striking as the Veisgrafin's though, my Lord.
(Fuchs) *Molly laughs softly, blushing a little before looking at Morgan then Fuchs with a little smile bordering on playful*
(Fuchs) People say that we redheads are naturally quick to temper, emotional, and determined. What do you think, Colonel? Are you any of those things?
(Fuchs) ((Molly*))
(Fuchs) *Fuchs watches her,  and looks to consider this a moment* I can be all three, depending on the circumstances. Generally I think of myself as quite measured and restrained.
(Fuchs) *Molly laughs, watching him, clearly intrigued*
(Fuchs) Measure and restraint are usually traits associated with brunettes, along with practicality, common sense and intelligence. *she looks to Morgan affectionately* what thinks you, liebling?
(@Morgan) If we're using me as a yardstick, no, thats wholly wrong...
* @Morgan looks around
(@Morgan) is there any tea?
* Fuchs smiles at him, slightly amused. She motions both men to the table, and Fuchs waits for Morgan to sit first* Of course, liebes herz
* @Morgan sits with Varick on his knee
(Fuchs) *Molly pours Morgan some tea, then one of Fuchs after asking if he wants some. Cups handed over, she kisses Varick's crown a moment* You're very sticky, Mauschen, you'll need a bath
(Fuchs) Fuchs watches them, and Morgan can recognise him trying to conceal his reaction. Varick wriggles away* V: Ugh, kissing is for girls! *Molly automatically touches her lower lip, then blushes. She casts a quick sidelong glance at Morgan*
(@Morgan) You'll still need a bath little man, whether kissing is for girls or not
(Fuchs) V: *he nods, though makes no move to get up*
(Fuchs) M: Kissing is a way we tell people we care for them, Mauschen, and that means boys too. *Fuchs frowns ever so slightly, too briefly for anyone else to notice*
(Fuchs) V: Why not just say it? *Molly laughs softly* It's complicated, Mauschen. Grown up's feelings and relationships can be very complex. *Fuchs looks to the middle distance. Morgan doesn't need to be able to read Molly's thoughts to recognise the slight head tilt and eye narrowing to know that this reaction has piqued her interest. She then looks to see Morgan's reaction to it*
* @Morgan shakes his head ever so slightly
(Fuchs) M: *she looks at Marta* Could you please get our young man cleaned up please? I don't have long until his Grace  comes to escort me to the chapel
(Fuchs) *Marta holds out her hand, and Varick jumps from Morgan's lap to go with her into the bathroom*
(Fuchs) M: *she sets about sorting breakfast on to plates for them before sitting at the table with them to drink her tea.*
* @Morgan wipes the jam from his neck
* Fuchs frowns slightly
(Fuchs) Has his Grace not sent you some maids to help?
(Fuchs) M: *she smiles at him* I would not accept them. I prefer to know I can trust those near us,  and I do not know any of the servants. Life has taught me to be very cautious with my trust. I'd rather have a small handful of people I can trust with my life,  rather than many who I cannot vouch for.
* Fuchs looks concerned for her, and looks to Morgan to see his reaction
* @Morgan sips his tea, face neutral
* Fuchs looks back to Molly, who is watching him closely
(Fuchs) We will keep you safe, Veisgrafin, you have my word
(Fuchs) *she smiles* there is something about you that makes me feel I can trust you, Colonel. You seem like a very dedicated and loyal man. I would like to thank you for the time and effort you have put into protecting us. *he bows his head* You are very welcome. *she looks briefly at Morgan, the Fuchs* I also apologise for my rudeness yesterday. I hope you were not insulted. *he shakes his head* Not at all. *she nods* Keeping my family safe is vitally important to me, as I am sure you can understand. *he nods again, eating*. She turns her gaze to Morgan
(Fuchs) I also apologise for my rudeness yesterday. I hope you were not insulted. *he shakes his head* Not at all. *she nods* Keeping my family safe is vitally important to me, as I am sure you can understand. *he nods again, eating*. She turns her gaze to Morgan
(Fuchs) Would you like us to wait for you for lunch, or will you be away, liebling?
(@Morgan) I would imagine I'll be busy blossom
(Fuchs) *she nods, then looks to Fuchs* I hope we are not keeping you away from home too much, Colonel
* Fuchs shakes his head a little
(Fuchs) My wife is used to my absence. It is no trouble.
(Fuchs) *Molly manages to keep the curiosity from her expression* The Veisgraf told me you wished for your wife to visit us tomorrow? Would she like it if I write to invite her? *he nods, smiling a little* Yes, I am sure she would. *Molly smiles * And does she like to embroider or sew? *he nods* She does. She's a seamstress.
(Fuchs) *Molly nods slowly, sipping her tea* Good, I would welcome female company. Will the noise of Varick be troubling?
* Fuchs shakes his head a little, though there's a hint of tension there
(Fuchs) No, it's mostly battle field sounds. Particularly muskets, but explosions, screaming, loud sudden noises. *he looks even more tense. She looks at him gently, speaking quieter* I will do everything I can to make sure it is peaceful and quiet, I assure you. *he smiles* I am very grateful, my Lady. Stef will be grateful too. *Molly nods* Have
(Fuchs) Have you been married long? *he does the stare, hand laid over the centre of his chest, and shrugs* a while. Much longer than you and the Veisgraf *he smiles*
(Fuchs) *Molly smiles warmly at him, then looks to Morgan* it may only be seven weeks, but it feels like much longer, doesn't it, liebling?
* @Morgan nods slowly, sipping his tea
(Fuchs) *she smiles affectionately at Morgan* Are you off again now, or will you be staying with Varick?
(@Morgan) I'm off out, I've got something to look for
(Fuchs) *she nods, then smiles playfully at Fuchs* And you, Colonel, are you a busy man today also? *he smiles* Indeed I am. I have some information to gather from the staff who have been serving the Grafin.
(@Fuchs) *she smiles, eyes lighting up* Oh, that sounds very interesting, I've always thought Investigation sounded like a rather wonderful career, though one that I am sure requires much intelligence and skill. Which, I can tell, you have in abundance, Colonel *she smiles warmly at him again, and he blushes, smiling*
* @Fuchs looks to Morgan
(@Fuchs) Unless you want help in your search, of course, my Lord
* Morgan shakes his head
(Morgan) No, I'll not keep you from your plans
* @Fuchs nods
(@Fuchs) I had best get started. Thank you for the hospitality,  my Lady. I will come back in a few hours to look over your security here. *he uses his napkin and rises. She rises also, holding out her hand for him to bow over. When he straightens up, she looks at him directly, almost solemnly*
(@Fuchs) Molly: I am most grateful for your protection, Colonel Fuchs. It brings great comfort to my mind to know you will do everything you can for my family and I. *he watches her, then bows his head* I am honoured by your trust. Thank you. *she smiles, removing her hand from his*
* @Fuchs bows to Morgan "I'll be around the house if I'm needed"
* Morgan nods to him
* @Fuchs heads off. The noise of splashing can be heard from the bathroom. Molly picks up her tea cup, sipping before checking her hair in the mirror
** You're now known as Molly
(@Molly) ¥I have been thinking about Herr Dreschler and the Wills ¥
(Morgan) $oh?$
* @Molly turns to him
(@Molly) ¥I think perhaps we should, for the moment at least, appoint your parents to take Varick if something happens to us both. After all, he would inherit Innesbruck, and be the Veisgraf¥
* Morgan nods
(@Molly) ¥As for the stewardships... *She sighs sadly* I think I have to admit that no one would allow me to raise Varick alone in either Innesbruck or Koln.
(Morgan) $probably not, no$
(@Molly) ¥I am unhappy about it, but without you, my freedom would be hastily curtailed by all four of our parents.
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) $I rather expect you're correct$
(@Molly) ¥ I suppose I would be safer under their protection than managing the lands myself.
(Morgan) unfortunately I agree
* @Molly watches him
(@Molly) And I should imagine that is a huge concern for you
* Morgan nods slowly
* @Molly nods
(@Molly) Would you want your father to take the stewardships?
(Morgan) from a safety point of view, its probably the best idea
* @Molly smiles a little
(@Molly) I don't have to like it, I just have to do it?
(Morgan) sadly, yes
* @Molly watches him a moment
(@Molly) Best keep yourself safe, liebling, I can not imagine your father would be best pleased with me constantly checking up on whether he is caring for Innesbruck as I would! *she laughs softly *
(Morgan) As long as it isn't first thing in the morning, he wouldn't be so bad
* @Molly laughs
(@Molly) Did you do some door breaking?
(Morgan) I may well have done
* @Molly smiles
(@Molly) Did you find anything useful?
(Morgan) oh yes indeed
* Morgan holds out the letter
* @Molly reads ""Dear husband, I beg your forgiveness.  I have sinned against Theus. But I am with child. I believe that is a sign of his forgiveness and his blessing on our marriage. I have had to lie to your father and my uncle to say the baby is Morgan's, when in truth it can only be yours, conceived in the coach on the way to Seeufer. But I want to protect you from the trouble you will face if your father knows that we planned our escape. Help me, have him pardon me. It will be safer for the three of us. We can be the family you wanted. I love you. I've loved you since I first saw you. Your wife, Alarice"
* @Molly 's expression shifts throughout, before she folds it and hands it back
* Morgan tucks it away
(@Molly) Best hold on to that one I think!
(Morgan) Quite. The others contradicted themselves quite readily, but that one does the job nicely.
(@Molly) It certainly removes any of the complications to you personally.
* Morgan nods
* @Molly bites her lip, trying not to giggle
(@Molly) Clearly there is something... inspirational about coaches!
(Morgan) so it would seem
* @Molly sips her tea, but watches his expression over the rim
(@Molly) That is the tactic I would have expected her to take from the beginning.
(Morgan) If she were only after saving her own skin, aye.. but she's got designs on ruining me along the way
* @Molly nods, frowning
(@Molly) Someone needs to put a spanner in her works I think
(Morgan) I agree
* @Molly bites her lip
(@Molly) We need to prove she is not with child. It's far too much leverage.
* Morgan nods
(@Molly) And if she is...
* @Molly frowns deeply
(@Molly) ... then this situation will drag on for months, if it is ever resolved.
(Morgan) could you get Marta to write down the ways to find out if she's pregnant... I can pass it along to Fuchs
* @Molly nods slowly
(@Molly) I suspect he will find it difficult to get that particular information from the staff
(Morgan) aye
(@Molly) I'd offer to speak to them myself, but I suspect you would prefer me not to
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) you suspect correctly
* @Molly frowns slightly
(@Molly) ¥ They are unlikely to tell him because one of the first things you're taught in service is not to discuss that sort of personal detail about the family or the guests. I'd have been reluctant to have given even you such information.
(Morgan) The staff here and I have a certain understanding
(@Molly) Understanding enough to violate such intimate female confidence though?
(Morgan) we'll see, won't we
(@Molly) If it gets very challenging,  perhaps Marta could help? She _is_ a midwife after all
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) maybe, maybe
* @Molly sighs
(Morgan) I just want an answer
(@Molly) It's frustrating,  not being able to help investigate and puzzle solve
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) I'm not very good at it
(@Molly) At being as constrained as this, or puzzle solving? *She frowns a little*
(Morgan) puzzle solving mostly. I'm still getting to break things, so I'm not entirely unhappy
* @Molly laughs
(@Molly) Not entirely unhappy seems like the best any of us can hope for at present
* Morgan nods
* @Molly watches him, smiling affectionately
(@Molly) Later I hope we can find time to take tea together, as I want you to tell me what on Theah is the issue with Colonel Fuchs and his wife *she smiles, puzzled* But for now I just want to check that my attempts at charming him haven't made you feel… uncomfortable
(Morgan) No blossom, not at all
* @Molly nods
(@Molly) Good. If you'd like to supervise our young charge in the bath, I can ask Marta to write some instructions?
* Morgan nods
* @Molly opens the door, asking Marta to come with her a moment.  Varick is busy tipping water slowly over his head from a tin jug
** You're now known as Varick
* Morgan watches Varick for a moment
(Morgan) What are you up to little man?
* @Varick shakes his head like a dog, spraying water all around
(@Varick) Having a bath
(Morgan) I see that
(@Varick) On the ship, will I have to have a bath, or can I just go in the sea?
(Morgan) You'll have to bathe... the sea has a lot of salt in it
(@Varick) I wasn't going to drink it, just swim in it
* Morgan smiles
(Morgan) well, I figured that much... but the salt makes your skin all dried out
(@Varick) Like raisins
(Morgan) exactly
(@Varick) It's my birthday tomorrow
(Morgan) I know
(@Varick) Can we have a party?
(Morgan) Not at the moment... there's a lot going on at the moment that needs to be sorted first... perhaps we can invite the Eisenfurst to a little tea party in the nursery?
* @Varick nods, filling and tipping out the jug
(@Varick) And Marta? And Graf Seeufer?
(Morgan) Maybe, we'll have to see
(@Varick) And mother? She said she had a big birthday present for me
(Morgan) when did she say that?
(@Varick) The first day we got here
(Morgan) I see... we'll see
(@Varick) I do like presents
(Morgan) I know you do... and cake
* @Varick nods
(@Varick) And our ship. And Captain Ulysses
* Morgan nods, smiling
(@Varick) And you and Molly
(Morgan) I'm glad to hear that
(@Varick) Having two sets of parents is much better than having one set
* @Varick tips the water over his head again
* @Varick shakes it off, laughing
(@Varick) Are you staying to play with me today?
(Morgan) Not for a while my young friend, I've got to find something today
(@Varick) Is it a present for my birthday?
(Morgan) Sadly, no... its something thats missing, so I'm trying to find it
(@Varick) Like a treasure hunt? *his eyes light up*
(Morgan) No, nothing so exciting
(@Varick) **Marta opens the door, smiling at Varick** Five more minutes, Varick, then it is time to get dried off. *She sits in a chair to supervise him*
* @Varick nods, returning to playing with the jug
(Morgan) Right young man, I'll see you later, ok?
* @Varick nods "Yes, sir"
(@Varick) *Molly is stood by the mantlepiece finishing her tea when Morgan returns to the room. She hands him a piece of paper*
* Morgan takes it
(@Varick) ¥There is one other possible way, but I can not guarantee it would work. It'd also mean me making physical contact with her, which is inadvisable at best!¥
(Morgan) $Indeed, thats not going to happen$
* @Varick nods thoughtfully
** You're now known as Molly
(@Molly) ¥It would not end well, I think¥
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) quite
* @Molly shakes her head, dispelling her thoughts
(@Molly) ¥If the Graf comes here, we must not let him in?
(Morgan) Correct, but feel free to tell him I'm looking for him
* @Molly grins briefly
(@Molly) I'll pass that along, liebes herz
(Morgan) he'll probably be wondering why his door won't shut and why there are axe marks in his desk
* @Molly laughs
(@Molly) Oh dear!
* @Molly watches him a moment fondly
(@Molly) Be careful please, liebling
(Morgan) always, blossom
(@Molly) Thank you
* @Molly smiles
(@Molly) We will hope to see you later
* Morgan inclines his head
(Morgan) I'll do my best to be back
(@Molly) Do what you must, we'll be here when you're finished, as always
* Morgan nods before heading out of the nursery
** You're now known as Claudia
* @Claudia inclines her head
(@Claudia) Same as usual?
(Morgan) absolutely... the Graf may appear, I suspect ranting since I broke his door... he's not to be let in
* @Claudia nods
(@Claudia) Physically, if needs be?
(Morgan) If needs be
* @Claudia nods
(@Claudia) Alright