* Molly watches him a moment looking slightly undecided
(Molly) I suppose I ought to tell you...
(@Morgan) what?
* Molly stops before getting to the open door
(Molly) There's mischief afoot. If you forbid it, I'll not pursue it *she watches him carefully, voice quiet*
(@Morgan) tell me
(Molly) Edward needs to kiss Mina and put her out of her misery. It doesn't do for a woman to have to wait and ponder rather than seeing her man's feelings. I like her enough to not see her suffer that.
(@Morgan) and...
(Molly) And, I know how to give them the privacy for that to occur
(@Morgan) oh?
* Molly gives him a playful, mischievous smile
(Molly) Our little stroll on the terrace was something of a reconnaissance mission
(@Morgan) I see
* Molly tries to read his expression
(Molly) You disapprove?
(@Morgan) Its... difficult... I don't know how he'll react
* Molly giggles
(Molly) I do
(@Morgan) house?
(Molly) Because a little while ago I told him he should just kiss the poor girl and put her out of her misery
(@Morgan) and he said...
(Molly) He was amused that given I was supposed to be acting as a chaperone I would suggest such a thing. I said I knew it was hard for women to wait to know a man's feelings
* Molly sips her brandy, still watching his expression
* @Morgan nods slowly
(@Morgan) very well
* Molly frowns a little
(Molly) You would prefer I do not facilitate it?
* @Morgan shakes his head
(@Morgan) Since he's not going to act like an uppity child about it... just make sure its discrete 
* Molly 's frown deepens, looking almost offended
(Molly) Of course I would make it discrete.
(@Morgan) I mean them... 
* Molly downs the remainder of her brandy
(Molly) Indeed. I will ensure it is kept very private
* @Morgan nods
* Molly glances at him, expression slightly solemn
(Molly) We had best return to the party
* @Morgan nods
* Molly leads the way back into the ballroom. It's louder now, and more posturing and showing off is occurring
* @Morgan looks around the room, scowling slightly
(Molly) It seems busier
(Molly) **No-one is doing anything particularly problematic. Just the usual noble nonsense of a party where impressing each other is the main purpose*
* Molly glances at him again
(Molly) It reminds me of all the parties in the Lady Daventry books
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) pomp and circumstance?
(Molly) The catty wives... the witty mistresses... the roguish Lords planning to seduce the Ladies... the finery and the music
* Molly opens her fan again, moving it gently. She looks thoughtful, distracted
(Molly) *Mia comes over with drinks, on her tray fresh coffee and brandy. She comes to stand beside Morgan
(Molly) M: Coffee, my Lord?
* @Morgan nods
(@Morgan) please
(Molly) *Mia hands it to him as the song comes to an end. Molly takes her brandy with thanks, but she still watches the crowd with distracted eyes. Isiah approaches them, looking at Morgan*
** You're now known as Isiah
(Isiah) Good evening, Veisgraf. I wondered if I could dance with your lovely wife?
(@Morgan) Assuming she has no objections, then I do not
(Isiah) *Molly glances at her brandy, then her eyes quickly sweep the room before she downs it, placing the empty glass on Mia's tray. She nods to Morgan*
* Isiah bows to her, then offers his hand to lead her on to the dance floor. She places her hand in his, but glances at her husband's expression a moment
* @Morgan watches Isiah
* Isiah looks relaxed, confident, the master of all he surveys
(Isiah) My thanks *he inclines his head before smiling at Molly* Shall we?
(Isiah) **She goes with him into the crowd as a lively polka starts up, a dance she barely knows but enjoyed at heinzharold and ingas wedding** (attention?)
(@Morgan) ((around the room))
(Isiah) **Little groupings seem to be developing. Adalbrecht has his own, as does Mina's father. In one corner Sabine and some of their friends are talking. Faulk swans around with Freiarrin Bremen on his arm. Stef and Fuchs are dancing the Polka as if they had always been happily married.
** You're now known as Mia
* Mia is still stood next to Morgan
(Mia) You want more gossip, my Lord?
* @Morgan smiles slightly
(@Morgan) aye
(Mia) We've been told to prepare a guest room. It's proper odd, because His Grace had said no one could stay over because of the security risk
(@Morgan) Any idea who for?
(Mia) Lady Hapsburg
(@Morgan) Interesting
(Mia) We've got to make sure there's extra sheets and blankets too
(@Morgan) Oh really?
* Mia nods
(Mia) At least six blankets. The room isn't even cold enough for that in winter!
(@Morgan) Thats rather peculiar...
(Mia) Proper weird,  my Lord. The instruction was direct from His Grace to our Housekeeper
* @Morgan nods...
(Mia) Oh, and that guard of yours wants you in the hall, my Lord
(@Morgan) guard of mine?
(Mia) The woman,  the one who looks proper fierce
(@Morgan) Do you know why she looks fierce?
* Mia shakes her head
(Mia) No
(@Morgan) Because she _is_ proper fierce
* @Morgan smiles at Mia
(@Morgan) I'd best go and find out what she wants
* Mia curtsies, wandering off
* @Morgan heads off to the hall
** You're now known as Claudia
* Claudia is stood in the hall, clearly on guard duty. She has a box under one arm
(Claudia) Evening.
(@Morgan) It certainly is
(Claudia) Got some things for you off the ferry.
* Claudia hands over a parcel around 6" in all dimensions, and two letters
* @Morgan examines the package
(@Morgan) interesting...
(Claudia) *It says "Veisgraf Koertig, c/o Eisenfurst Fischler" it is plain wrapped, and something inside rattles
* @Morgan opens it carefully
(Claudia) **Inside is a jar of Cafe Kaffee coffee. There seems to be a false bottom to the box
* @Morgan looks at how to open it
(Claudia) **a flap of cardboard lifts up. Inside is a burgundy jewellery box around 6x6x2 inches
(@Morgan) What on Theah?
* Claudia watches with interest
(Claudia) Looks like a jewellery box.
* @Morgan looks at Claudia for a moment
(@Morgan) I'm glad you said that, I was thinking it was an apple
* Claudia laughs
(Claudia) It could be apple inside I suppose
* @Morgan opens the box
(Claudia) **It is the necklace Alarice took from the Koertig family that No one could find before the wedding, traditionally worn by all the brides and Alarice had worn it to wed Karsten then not returned it. Adalbrecht said it was rocks the drachen had breathed fire on, and there was only one other set of stones he knew of, owned by Eisenfurstin Posen *
* Claudia looks surprised
* @Morgan looks for details of a sender
(Claudia) **There is no indication. Claudia hands the letters to him
* @Morgan opens the letters
(Claudia) *one is addresses as the box was. The other is address Alarice Fischler
* @Morgan opens the letter addressed to him
(Claudia) "August 9th ((10 days ago)) Dear Morgan. Be careful. Something is going on with Alarice. I've just had to pay four hundred guilders for the house I am living in because despite her permission, and it only being worth two hundred, she decided to sell it without telling me (MTF)
(Claudia) I have also had to buy this back from the jewellers she was having it appraised for sale at. Uncle Addie is going to be livid! Tell him to save the two hundred it cost me for his retirement rather than paying me back. Oh, and I now have possession of a certain pendant of Molly's you took there for appraisal too. It is perfectly safe. (MTF)
(Claudia) Don't trust Alarice, she has no need for that money now she's remarried, so why is she doing it? Something isn't right. You're welcome to stay with me when you arrive in Freiburg, I have space. 14 Dresden Strasse. Yours, Jarvie. (Done)
* Claudia watches his quizically
(Claudia) Him *
(@Morgan) Jarvie... 
* Claudia nods a little
(Claudia) And the necklace?
(@Morgan) Family heirloom... my father says the stones are rocks that a Drachen breathed fire on... 
* Claudia looks at it
(Claudia) It's pretty... if you like that sort of thing.
* @Morgan smiles, closing the box and trying to tuck it into a pocket
(Claudia) **There's no pocket it will fit in with all the weapons and things he filled up with
* @Morgan grumbles, placing it on the floor before opening the letter to Alarice
(Claudia) "Alarice, I don't know what the hell you're playing at! You knew I was living there. If you needed money, you should have begged your husband, not attempted to screw over your only sibling. Father would be disgusted. Fortunately I have plenty of money that I have actually worked for, rather than just schemed for. I won't forget this. Jarvie."
* @Morgan tucks the letters inside a pocket
(Claudia) Orders?
(@Morgan) carry on... I'll have someone send you some of the good coffee, while I go and cause trouble
* Claudia inclines her head
* @Morgan heads back to the party, jar in one hand, jewellery box in the other behind his back
** You're now known as Adalbrechtissatonthefarsideoft
** You're now known as Adalbrecht
* Adalbrecht is sat on the far side of the room on a group of couches with some older women, a man and a younger woman who could be his wife or mistress. Adalbrecht is flirting with them much as Edward was with the women earlier
* @Morgan looks for Mia
(Adalbrecht) **Mia is over with Sabine's group. Molly has ended up with them, her arms still tucked under Isiah's. They are all talking and laughing
(Adalbrecht) Arm*
* @Morgan heads over towards them and tries to attract her attention
(Adalbrecht) **Mia spots him  breaking away from the group to talk to him. As she approaches, he sees Edward excuse himself from Mina and go over to stand by Molly and Isiah
** You're now known as Mia
(Mia) (Attention?)
(@Morgan) ((Sabine))
(Mia) **Sabine looks interested in whatever Molly and Isiah are saying. She doesn't look jealous or hostile, just curious. Edward gets Isiah's attention by speaking  but Morgan can't see well enough to see what he is saying. The room is loud.
(Mia) My Lord?
* @Morgan hands her the jar of coffee
(@Morgan) Could you see that that is sent to my rooms, and see if you can get some of the coffee I like sent to Claudia please
* Mia nods
(Mia) Yes my Lord. *she looks briefly unsure* My Lord...?
(@Morgan) yes?
(Mia) Should I stop giving the Veisgrafin brandy? It's just... well, she's drunk quite a lot already, and if she might be in danger...?
(@Morgan) I don't think she's in danger, but perhaps it'd be a good idea for her to take a break from it...
(Mia) **Edward offers Molly his arm, and Isiah relinquishes her. Edward leads her back to dance*
* Mia nods
(Mia) Yes my Lord
(@Morgan) Thank you Mia
(Mia) **the musicians strike up a waltz ((attention?))
(@Morgan) ((Molly))
(Mia) Is that all, my Lord?
(Mia) **Molly is being waltzed around by Edward. She asks him something, and he laughs, whispering in her ear. She looks both highly shocked and amused, and Morgan can lip read her saying "tell me again". He does so, though Morgan's view isn't clear enough to lip read that. Molly says "That really _is_ rude!", and after Edward has replied she laughs and says in Avalonian "Still waters run deep"**
(@Morgan) aye, thank you
* Mia disappears
* @Morgan frowns at Edward before heading off towards his father
(Mia) **Edward doesn't notice. Adalbrecht is where he was**
** You're now known as Adalbrecht
* @Morgan approaches his father
(@Morgan) my lord, might I have a moment?
* Adalbrecht stands, bowing to his companions, and he moves away with Morgan
(Adalbrecht) You aren't dancing?
(@Morgan) You know better than that... I've had something arrive...
* Adalbrecht looks intriguef
(Adalbrecht) What is it?
* @Morgan hands him the jewellery box
* Adalbrecht runs his hand over it a moment. He opens it. He states at the stones a moment, fingers lingering on them fondly
(Adalbrecht) Where on Theah did you find these?
* @Morgan hands him the letter Jarvie sent him
* Adalbrecht closes the box, putting it in a pocket in his coat, before reading the letter. He sighs, shaking his head
(Adalbrecht) Oh Alarice...
(@Morgan) There is a letter to Alarice, too
* Adalbrecht holds out his hand for it
* @Morgan hands it over
* Adalbrecht reads it
(Adalbrecht) She is right.  He would have been very angry. He doted on Jarvie, what with having no sons
* @Morgan nods, holding his hand out for the letters
* Adalbrecht hands them back
(@Morgan) She also sent me some coffee from the cafe I like
(Adalbrecht) That's thoughtful of her. I wonder if that is where her tomboy streak comes from. He was able to teach her things like shooting that Alarice had no interest in
(@Morgan) Quite possibly
(Adalbrecht) He would have been proud to have had a fine son like you
(Adalbrecht) **the music changes again**
(@Morgan) I don't think I'm Eisen enough for him... regardless... if Alarice had no interest in shooting, why would she have his pistol?
(Adalbrecht) His favourite blue one?
(@Morgan) the blue gripped one
* Adalbrecht frowns
(Adalbrecht) That one is Jarvie' s, he left it to her. She keeps it locked up in her little house in Innesbruck
(@Morgan) No, she doesn't
(Adalbrecht) Alarice has it?
(@Morgan) Not any more... it was hidden, along with a disguise, under her floorboards
(Adalbrecht) A disguise for what?
* Adalbrecht looks around them
(@Morgan) a maids dress
(Adalbrecht) Why would she want that?
* @Morgan blinks slowly
(@Morgan) What would be the easiest way to leave a house and go into town unnoticed, would you say?
* Adalbrecht looks thoughtful
(Adalbrecht) I suppose so
* @Morgan nods
(Adalbrecht) ((Attention?))
(@Morgan) ((general))
(Adalbrecht) But Alarice wearing a maids dress seems... unlikely
(@Morgan) as unlikely as plotting to murder the Eisenfurst and family?
* @Morgan shrugs
(Adalbrecht) **There's no sign of Edward on the dance floor
* Adalbrecht frowns
(Adalbrecht) We should not discuss that here.
(@Morgan) Indeed... it is not how I wished this conversation to go... 
(Adalbrecht) Me neither
* @Morgan looks around for Molly
(Adalbrecht) **He sees Molly and Mina head arm in arm out on to the terrace**
(@Morgan) You realise of course that Hans taught me to shoot with that blue pistol
* Adalbrecht frowns
(Adalbrecht) When you were nine?
(@Morgan) There or thereabouts
(Adalbrecht) I told him you were too young
(Adalbrecht) Where is it now?
(@Morgan) In my possession
(Adalbrecht) Good
(@Morgan) At least for now...
(Adalbrecht) What do you intend to do with it?
(@Morgan) I had intended to keep it, but since it was left to Jarvie... thats where it should be
(Adalbrecht) ** he can still see Molly, just, through the open doors. She appears to be casually looking for something
* @Morgan tries to decide if she's acting as lookout
(Adalbrecht) Perhaps she will let you have it
* @Morgan shrugs
(@Morgan) much as I would like that, it is hers to do with as she wishes...
(Adalbrecht) **To most people, she would look like a slightly tipsy young lady who has lost something. To Morgan, who knows both her and subterfuge so well, she is definitely being a lookout
* Adalbrecht nods, watching Morgan watching Molly
(Adalbrecht) Is Molly alright? She looks a little tipsy
* @Morgan smiles slightly
(@Morgan) she's fine
(Adalbrecht) **No-one else at the party seems to have noticed her at all, they're all busy with another waltz
* Adalbrecht frowns
(Adalbrecht) Looks like she has lost something. Perhaps you should help her
(@Morgan) Perhaps we should both pretend we haven't seen her... trust me
* Adalbrecht frowns a little
(Adalbrecht) That seems very... unsolicitous of you
(@Morgan) unsolicitous?
(Adalbrecht) You are known for being very attentive to her
(@Morgan) Point made and understood. Will you excuse me?
* Adalbrecht smiles, touching the jewellery box
(Adalbrecht) Of course
* @Morgan nods and walks across the room to Molly
* Adalbrecht goes back to his friends