(MollyK) **He can hear her rotating the puzzle dials on the trunk. He can also hear the faint sound of Varick talking* (MollyK) **He can't make out what the boy is saying, but it seems more conversation than monologue, with gaps in the speech* * @Morgan moves closer to listen (MollyK) **the door to his room is shut, but Morgan can just make out the words (MollyK) V: I know. They would be scared. *pause* Oh, yes, I already told him last time *pause* no, she's not scared of anything! * @Morgan frowns as he listens (MollyK) V: ok, I promise. I won't tell anyone else. * @Morgan mutters to himself before heading away from the door * MollyK comes back out, hair and make up redone, and the new perfume is more noticeable. She has an unfamiliar notebook under her arm. (MollyK) Did you say something, liebling? (@Morgan) I was listening to Varick... he seems to be having conversations in his sleep * MollyK looks intrigued (MollyK) What sort of conversations? * @Morgan repeats what he heard * MollyK frowns a little (MollyK) **The door to Varick's room opens, and the young boy comes out. He still has a drawn on moustache and beard. His eyes light up on seeing Morgan* * MollyK watches the boy as he comes over to Morgan and hugs his legs * @Morgan puts his hand on the boys head (@Morgan) hello young man ** You're now known as Varick (Varick) Are you staying to be the pirate captain next? (@Morgan) we've got a meeting with someone I'm afraid * Varick nods sadly (Varick) But later? (@Morgan) maybe. Who were you talking to? * Varick looks around the room (Varick) Is Marta here? (@Morgan) Not at the moment * Varick looks at Morgan (Varick) I was talking to the ghost woman who helped me get off the exploded ship (@Morgan) I see... and what has she made you promise? (Varick) **Molly frowns, looking at Morgan. It dawns on him that in the chaos and confusion of that day, he didn't tell Molly about Mae's ghost telling Varick to climb along the rope of the ship to the deck.* (Varick) Not tell anyone about her, because it would be dangerous * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) she's probably right. Best not mention her to anyone else (Varick) Just you and Molly is ok (Varick) **Molly crouches down beside him* Are you troubled, Mauschen? *He shakes his head* No, she's kind and wants to make sure I'm safe. *Molly nods. She smiles, but Morgan can feel she isn't entirely at ease. There's another knock at the door that disrupts them* ** You are now disconnected (Software caused connection abort) ------------------------------ Logging started for Blitzed:#7thseaic on Tuesday, 18 June 2019 15:21:27 British Summer Time ------------------------------ ** Reconnecting to irc.blitzed.org:6667… -NickServ- Welcome to Blitzed IRC Network, Varick! Here on Blitzed IRC Network, we provide services to enable the registration of nicknames and channels! For details, type /msg NickServ help and /msg ChanServ help. ** You have joined #7thseaic ** You are now disconnected ------------------------------ Logging started for Blitzed:#7thseaic on Tuesday, 18 June 2019 20:07:46 British Summer Time ------------------------------ ** You have joined #7thseaic (Molly) (@Morgan) she's probably right. Best not mention her to anyone else (Molly) (Varick) Just you and Molly is ok (Molly) (Varick) **Molly crouches down beside him* Are you troubled, Mauschen? *He shakes his head* No, she's kind and wants to make sure I'm safe. *Molly nods. She smiles, but Morgan can feel she isn't entirely at ease. There's another knock at the door that disrupts them* * @Morgan goes to open the door (Molly) *Marta is waiting outside, and Claudia is stoically ignoring Oren's chatter * @Morgan lets Marta in (Molly) **She takes off her bonnet, hanging it up, and her shawl follows. Molly gives her a cup of coffee, urging her to take a seat, and tells Varick the hat and coat are in the other room. Marta looks to Morgan as well as his wife ** You're now known as Marta (Marta) You would like to know about the delayed courses? I recall you weren't very squeamish last time we met *her question is directed at Morgan. Molly pulls out a chair for him, refilling his cup* * @Morgan nods, sitting down (Marta) Going from the dates Molly could give me, Alarice had her menses in June, but has missed July. Her next would be due tomorrow. * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I see (Marta) There are some things that can go wrong for a woman, but there are no indicators that Alarice has those conditions, and the conditions we know of do not upset the natural rhythm. (Marta) It can happen with illness, but usually only very serious illness. *Molly slowly sips her coffee at this point* Is Alarice in any way unwell that you know of? (@Morgan) The only thing that stands out is that she would go for naps and couldn't be awakened * Marta looks thoughtful (Marta) Did anyone see her asleep? (@Morgan) Not as far as I'm aware (Marta) Could she have been ignoring the door, or have snuck out? (@Morgan) Only if she left via the window (Marta) *Molly looks to him* is it plausible, given the location, the lack of security, and how easy it would be to spot her in her finery? * @Morgan frowns (@Morgan) I'd have to have a proper look... she did have a servants outfit though (Marta) *Molly nods* So maybe she could have just put it on and walked out? (@Morgan) Maybe (Marta) *Molly sighs* to go and do goodness knows what, unsupervised. * Marta watches them (Marta) But she hasn't been sick, bleeding, or fainting? (@Morgan) Not as far as I'm aware, no * Marta nods (Marta) I've seen her in early pregnancy three times, and she has always had those symptoms from before the first missed menses. I am fairly confident that she is not, but I cannot be certain. Sometimes a new father or a different gender child can mean different symptoms * @Morgan sips his coffee (Marta) *Molly looks thoughtful* three? * Marta nods (Marta) She lost a pregnancy just after her husband died. Stress, I suspect. (Marta) *Molly watches Morgan's reaction from.the corner of her eye* * @Morgan frowns briefly * Marta sips her coffee again (@Morgan) three... * Marta glances to check Varick is still out of the room, which he is (Marta) The baby that was stillborn, a pregnancy she ended with pennyroyal, and then the one she lost when Karsten died * @Morgan nods slightly (Marta) **Molly looks to Morgan** Do you still have the bottle? * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) in my pocket (Marta) **Molly looks to Marta, speaking quietly* The pennyroyal she put in my wine... it's made up slightly different to how it'd be made up in Avalon. It's weaker, and doesn't smell exactly the same. Would you mind taking a look? *Marta nods, holding out her hand* of course * @Morgan takes out the bottle (@Morgan) There is another bottle I'd like you to look at, too * Marta takes it. "Of course" She looks it over, then opens it and sniffing. (Marta) This one is definitely pennyroyal plus white and black hellebore, which makes the mixture good for longer. It's very, very expensive. A full bottle of this would have cost around a hundred guilders * @Morgan hands her the other bottle (@Morgan) its very... pungent * Marta closes the first bottle, looking at the bottom, holding it up to the light from the window "Made in Freiburg around two years ago". She hands it back to Morgan (Marta) **Molly looks intrigued at the second bottle, opening it. She wrinkles her nose as she sniffs it** whatever it is, I've never smelled it before. We may not have it in Avalon. *She hands it to Marta, who repeats the process* (Marta) It has some Maryam Blossom in it, which is used to reduce heavy menses in those with the condition Alarice has. But there's other things in there I do not recognise. * Marta screws the lid tight (@Morgan) Do you think it could be used to prevent her menses? * Marta nods slowly (Marta) It probably could. It was a suggestion one of my contacts made. But she would need to take a lot of it, and take it very regularly, ideally three times a day... (@Morgan) I see (Marta) **Molly looks excited, and Marta looks at her, shaking her head* You wouldn't want to mix it with Artemisia and Queen Anne's Lace. It would have the opposite effect. (Marta) **Molly sighs forlornly, and Marta gives her a sympathetic smile* Besides, it isn't recommended for anyone who wishes to be a mother in the next few years (Marta) *Molly sips her coffee, looking a little fidgety* * Marta looks to Morgan, watching his expression before talking * @Morgan watches her calmly (Marta) All that can be done is to watch Alarice. She may bleed tomorrow as she is due. If she has used the herbs to stop her menses, and she no longer has access to them, she'll bleed in a few days or so. If she is pregnant, she will not deliver until March * @Morgan nods (Marta) **Molly sighs** That is potentially a long time to wait * Marta smiles (Marta) Unfortunately, that is how long these things take I am afraid. * Marta looks to Morgan (Marta) I'd stake money that she has used the herbs, but I wouldn't stake lives on it. * @Morgan nods (Marta) Does any of this help you? (@Morgan) Aye, to an extent * Marta nods (Marta) Anything else I can answer, let me know. You'd be surprised what things midwives know! (Marta) **There's another knock at the door* (Marta) V: **He comes back in, wearing the huge coat and hat. He's obviously touched up his fake facial hair and now has a much darker set * Marta gets up to answer the door automatically (Marta) ((Oops)) (Marta) Molly gets up to answer the door automatically (Marta) **She calls to ask who it is, and Claudia says that Dreschler is downstairs in the library to see her. Molly looks to Morgan questioningly* ** You're now known as Molly (Molly) What are we to do, liebes herz? Do you wish to leave Claudia here to watch Varick? * @Morgan nods * Molly puts her sword into the bulky sword belt. She looks fairly relaxed (@Morgan) Aye * Molly gives Varick a quick hug, scoops up her notebook, and heads out into the corridor (Molly) Oren: -which is why no-one risks talking about her, see? (Molly) **Even with her back to him, Morgan can see from the way her head tilts that Molly has sensed gossip is occurring in the hall * @Morgan tousles Varicks hair before heading to the door * Molly looks at the guard (Molly) Who are we talking about? *he bows to her, looking a little awakward* Colonel Fuch's wife, my Lady. *Molly nods* And why does no-one risk talking about her? I am told she is lovely. (Molly) *Claudia watches Morgan* * @Morgan nods slightly (Molly) *Claudia waits til Morgan is in the hallway before locking the door behind him* (Molly) Oren: Well... *He appears to settle happily into his gossiping* A couple of years ago there was a party here, and no-one told Kristoff, that's Colonel Fuchs, that there would be fireworks. And his wife is scared by loud noises, see? So she got really upset, crying and the like, and he wrapped her up and carried her safely home. Then, the next day, one of the guards was making fun about it, saying she was like a pathetic child and Fuchs should have taken her in hand and sorted her out. And Kristoff overheard it. He beat seven bells out of him. I reckon he'd have killed him if we hadn't pulled him off. Took four of us to do it, all of us ex-services. So no-one talks about her, just in case. That guard left Fischler and never came back. Or he did, once his arms, ribs and jaw healed. (Molly) **Molly looks shocked. Claudia looks impressed** (Molly) *He looks at Morgan, clearly waiting for comment* (@Morgan) Sounds about right (Molly) We'd best head downstairs... * @Morgan nods (Molly) **farewells exchanged, they're soon alone again traversing the halls. Molly speaks quietly (Molly) Those are not the actions of a man who does not love his wife... (@Morgan) Indeed. * Molly watches him sidelong (Molly) Would you beat someone for saying such about me, liebes herz (@Morgan) of course (@Morgan) or throw them in the Sudlache * Molly smiles a little (Molly) For saying I was a pathetic child, or for saying you should take me in hand? * @Morgan shrugs (@Morgan) either * Molly shakes her head slightly with a smile. He hears her thoughts "Not today, little rabbit". It's what Grunhelm said to him and HH when they tried to get blokners from the tavern at 12. (Molly) And you'd carry me home if I was distressed? (@Morgan) of course * Molly smiles at him (Molly) I appreciate that, truly. (Molly) Maybe he just needs to sweep her up in his arms, kiss her soundly, and tell her he loves her beyond all sense and reason? *She watches him with a hint of amusement as they reach the top of the stairs * (@Morgan) maybe, maybe (Molly) If she's anything like almost all other women on Theah, it'd work wonders *She smiles, eyes becoming softer* (@Morgan) I might mention it (Molly) His reaction would be very interesting to see * Molly goes to lead the way down the stairs, holding up her skirt to prevent tripping * @Morgan nods (Molly) Or tomorrow I could suggest she does the same to him? (@Morgan) That might be worth doing (Molly) *She frowns a little* would a man appreciate that, do you think? (@Morgan) probably not * Molly sighs thoughtfully (Molly) Can you think of something she could do that would work better, if her aim was declaring her feelings or seducing her husband? (@Morgan) telling him straight, perhaps... * Molly nods slowly (Molly) That makes sense. Men are so much more complicated than women! * @Morgan smirks * Molly watches him smirk, amused (Molly) It is true! Anyone could seduce a woman, all you need do is pay enough attention, and it is easy to work out how! (@Morgan) I think it would be prudent if I did not comment on that statement * Molly pouts amusedly (Molly) You, my Lord, are far skilled enough to not need any of my tips! * @Morgan shrugs (Molly) Although, I'd rather prefer that you do not demonstrate that my beliefs about you are correct! *She giggles* (@Morgan) perhaps once this is all done I'll demonstrate (Molly) **They get to the bottom of the stairs. He gets a sudden flash of her thoughts. It's his hands on the naked waist of a blonde, build and hair very similar to Alarice's. He's wearing his dracheneisen wedding ring, and gripping her tightly. There's an odd creaking of wood in the thought. Nothing on Molly's face gives away that she is thinking this or that she knows he has perceived it* (Molly) Not on anyone else, I hope! *she giggles again* * @Morgan frowns * Molly frowns in response to his (Molly) I apologise, liebes herz, I was playing. I trust you implicitly (@Morgan) I was wondering what _that_ thought came from (Molly) Which thought? (Molly) **the corridor they're in is quiet, no-one in sight* (@Morgan) the one of my hands on a blonde womans waist... * Molly visibly flinches (Molly) Alarice in your father's library? (@Morgan) could be * Molly sighs (Molly) Part of the nightmare I did not wish to talk about. *her eyes remain narrow, and he can feel he is purposefully shut out of her mind* * @Morgan nods slightly (Molly) It is probably from her little letter about the alleged... _incident_ during the Musicale * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I see * Molly watches him a moment, checking his expression (Molly) I don't distrust you, liebes herz. * @Morgan nods * Molly holds out her hand to him * @Morgan takes it * Molly frowns (Molly) You know that, don't you? That I do not doubt for a moment your honesty that nothing occurred on that night or any other, with her or anyone else? * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) it troubles me that it plays on your mind * Molly watches him intensely (Molly) It does not play on my mind. I do not ever think of you being with anyone else. I would never allow such thoughts to play on my mind. (@Morgan) your thoughts a moment ago suggests that is not accurate (Molly) It was a nightmare. That is all. A stupid, awful nightmare that ended horribly. * Molly 's expression is serious (Molly) It is nothing to worry about. (@Morgan) very well * Molly watches him a moment before continuing in the direction of the library. She doesn't speak, but she monitors everything she can about how he moves, how he holds her hand, to try to ascertain whether he is actually letting the issue go. Her own body language is still slightly tense, but he can see she is trying to purposefully look less so * @Morgan walks along beside her, quiet but not particularly tense (Molly) **They round a corner and almost collide with Fuchs. He takes a step back, and bows with a little apology. Though he looks fairly casual, Morgan has already seen Fuchs show fake casual behaviours before. He is clearly, to Morgan at least, studying the newlyweds. * @Morgan nods to him (@Morgan) Colonel (Molly) F: Veisgraf, Veisgrafin *He smiles warmly* * Molly smiles at him. She keeps her right hand in Morgan's, though holds her left out for Fuchs to bow over, even though it isn't quite according to proper etiquette. He can feel from the way she hold his hand that she has no intention of moving away from him simply to greet someone else (Molly) Colonel, good afternoon. We are well met, I wished to speak with you briefly.