------------------------------ Logging started for Blitzed:#7thseaic on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 09:19:48 British Summer Time ------------------------------ ** You have joined #7thseaic (@Morgan) **Adalbrecht and Edward have started keeping an eye on Morgan, and it is clear they are both keen to have the discussion Morgan wanted. Faulk is talking to Nussbaum aside. (@Morgan) * Morgan moves towards the Eisenfurst (@Morgan) * Fuchs is now known as Faulk (@Morgan) * Faulk looks much more relaxed than he has been throughout the day ** You're now known as Faulk (Faulk) *to Nussbaum* I am most grateful for your expertise today, Nussbaum * Faulk and Nussbaum stop talking as they see Morgan approach (@Morgan) your grace, would you excuse the three of us, we have things to discuss * Faulk nods (Faulk) Of course * @Morgan bows his head before moving away towards his father ** You're now known as Adalbrecht * Adalbrecht is talking with Edward and Hapsburg, and they seem to be finalising the details of the bride price * @Morgan catches the attention of a servant (Adalbrecht) *Mia comes over. She's starting to look a little tired, but smiles politely* My Lord? (@Morgan) Mia, would you arrange for coffee and blockers to be sent to the room I've been given to use? For three of us, please (Adalbrecht) *She curtsies, going * @Morgan sidles up to his father quietly * Adalbrecht is laughing, but it's quite clear to Morgan that today has taken its toll on his Sire (Adalbrecht) Yes, Morgan? (@Morgan) Its time. * Adalbrecht and Edward take their leave of Hapsburg, and though handshakes are given, there's still a little tension between Edward and his future father in law * @Morgan inclines his head to hapsburg before heading off to find the room he is using (Adalbrecht) **It's not fancy, but comfortable enough, with high backed wing chairs as well as chairs and a desk. Mia has already put drinks in there * @Morgan sits in one of the comfortable chairs (Adalbrecht) **The others join him. Edward deals with the drinks, taking blokners for himself and giving Adalbrecht likewise * @Morgan picks up blokners (@Morgan) Have you been made aware of the Eisenfursts decision? (Adalbrecht) No. And before we get into that, how is Molly now? * @Morgan smiles (@Morgan) She is doing well... tired, as you would imagine, but in good spirits. She will be fine once she has regained her strength (@Morgan) She must avoid being injured at all costs (Adalbrecht) And there will be no problems with the future succession? (@Morgan) Calm yourself father, all is well (@Morgan) or will be at least * Adalbrecht looks relieved (Adalbrecht) I am glad to hear that. Although Varick could legally become the future Graf, I was concerned. (@Morgan) Well, you can go back to being a doting father in law now * Adalbrecht frowns (Adalbrecht) What do you mean by that, Morgan? (@Morgan) I meant exactly what I said father, you are a doting father in law, and I see that as being helpful in her recovery (@Morgan) Rather than having to worry about your daughter in law _and_ the future of the Grafdom * Adalbrecht nods (Adalbrecht) I see * @Morgan smirks slightly (@Morgan) if I'm going to insult you, I'll do it properly (Adalbrecht) That would be simpler, yes (Adalbrecht) My concern was for you both, I imagine the consequences would have been distressing for you both (@Morgan) As you said, Varick would have been able to take the Grafdom. Regardless, it appears that is not a concern, according to Marta (Adalbrecht) I am glad to hear it (Adalbrecht) *Edward drinks some blokners* The Eisenfurst's decision...? * @Morgan sighs, drinking a mouthful (@Morgan) The magistrates gave him three options. Punish her for Karstens murder, plotting against the Eisenfurst or attempting to murder Molly. Petty Treason, High Treason, attempted murder of a veisgrafin... They felt that using the high treason would harm the koenigsreichs reputation in the larger political view, and that not enough people knew of her role in Karstens murder for that to be feasible and suggested that the attempt on Molly was the best idea. (Adalbrecht) **They both seem to take this in a moment (Adalbrecht) E: Protecting the Konigsreich is vital. We do not want to be seen as any more of an overly-superstitious backwater than we already are * Adalbrecht watches Morgan's expression (@Morgan) Aside from that, it could be seen as a weakness in the Eisenfurst that this plot was already under way (Adalbrecht) E: An Eisenfurst and a Graf being outsmarted by a noble widow does not look good (@Morgan) Indeed. (@Morgan) My initial instinct is she should be punished for the worse crime... I have, however, acceded to their recommendation * Adalbrecht frowns slightly (Adalbrecht) E: I agree. High Treason is something unforgivable, but if the charge would cost the Konigsreich to lose power, it must be set aside (@Morgan) Father... you have an issue? (Adalbrecht) Not entirely, but I am still thinking on how to phrase it. Do continue. (@Morgan) Realistically speaking, the end result is the same for her, with different ramifications for the rest of us. So there is that and how much retribution I wished to exact (Adalbrecht) E: *He nods slowly* A lack of retribution cannot be an easy option for you * @Morgan shrugs (@Morgan) The method for either petty or high treason is burning. I've spoken out against that from the beginning. * Adalbrecht nods, and Edward does too, though his eyes are firmly on his drink (Adalbrecht) I do not think that would be helpful (@Morgan) Quite. So that left me with the option of her being punished for her attempt on Molly (Adalbrecht) Have you considered the impact this will have on Molly? (@Morgan) Molly was adamant that she did not wish her to burn, and had asked previously that her charge be allowed to take precedence over Karstens, but that was before we discovered the depth of her plotting (Adalbrecht) And she feels the same today, regardless of the situation she has been in? * @Morgan nods (Adalbrecht) E: You will need to keep an eye on this at Court. Women's politics can be very cruel, and they leverage anything they can. (@Morgan) And I already have the EIsenfursts assurance that the Koenigsreich will help in any way it can... and I do have a reputation. (Adalbrecht) E: *He nods* I would take men's politics any day. Women's politics has led me to far more duels than men's ever has * Adalbrecht frowns, looking at Edward (Adalbrecht) Why? (Adalbrecht) E: *He shrugs {evasive}* It happens. (@Morgan) How did you manage to ever reach a destination in the navy being so easily distracted father? * Adalbrecht turns that frown on his eldest son instead (Adalbrecht) You have agreed that Alarice will be punished for her attempted murder of a Veisgrafin? (@Morgan) I have. It makes the most political sense, and avoids the punishment that none of us would want (Adalbrecht) And she will hang instead? (@Morgan) No (Adalbrecht) **they both frown* (Adalbrecht) She will be executed though? * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I attended a hanging this week and the process was drawn out and painful. I cannot in good conscience raise Varick to practice mercy if I am not willing to do the same. (Adalbrecht) E: *He frowns deeply* She doesn't deserve it. (@Morgan) No, but he does. And I don't believe her suffering would mean anything to her anyway (@Morgan) And at this point, its no longer about what she deserves (Adalbrecht) E: *He continues frowning* Anyone who put Mina through that level of pain would be made to suffer (@Morgan) And that, my brother, is your choice. (Adalbrecht) E: *He nods, though looks serious still* * Adalbrecht frowns, looking at Morgan (Adalbrecht) Exactly how bad did this get, Morgan? (@Morgan) which part of _this_ exactly? (Adalbrecht) Molly being ill * @Morgan sips his drink, watching his father speculatively * Adalbrecht watches him right back (@Morgan) At best this morning, her chances of surviving were two thirds. The chances of surviving and being able to carry a child, much less. I was called earlier not to assist, but to be with her as she passed * Adalbrecht noticeably pales (Adalbrecht) It was as close run as that? (@Morgan) Closer. I spoke to Marta before dinner and she had not expected Molly to survive. A priest was in the building ready. * Adalbrecht exhales slowly (Adalbrecht) She was very, very lucky. (@Morgan) And thats nothing to say about the physical effects she went through... given my brothers location at the time, I suspect he could give you an insight into what he heard (Adalbrecht) E: *He bows his head* I suspect you could ask me again at the end of my life and I still would be able to recall it * Adalbrecht looks at Morgan (Adalbrecht) That must have been awful * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) And even after the bleeding had stopped, the waiting to find out if it would start again... (Adalbrecht) E: *He looks at Morgan* The silence seemed to last forever. I wondered then whether the worst had happened * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) Frankly, I was expecting the worst to still happen (Adalbrecht) E: *He nods* I just kept praying. My theory was that until I heard for sure either way, prayer was all I could do to help * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I may have been doing similar (Adalbrecht) E: What else is there to do, really? * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) So, the Eisenfurst has asked me to find out what sort of time we will need to prepare (Adalbrecht) And what have to said? * Adalbrecht still looks a bit pale even now (Adalbrecht) You* (@Morgan) I said I would find out * Adalbrecht looks to Edward and back to Morgan (Adalbrecht) And what do _you_ think? * @Morgan sips his drink (@Morgan) Being honest, I don't care. The immediate danger has passed and I am just grateful to still have Molly. I imagine some time will be needed to explain things to Varick, but aside from that... what time will you need? (Adalbrecht) The way I feel right now, none. In the morning I may feel the need to speak to her before it happens. Certainly she should be sent a priest of the church of her preference to confess. * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) that is only right * Adalbrecht looks to Edward (Adalbrecht) E: *He shrugs* I said what needed to be said when I saw her the other day. I have the answers I needed. (@Morgan) What about Jarvie? * Adalbrecht and Edward have clearly forgotten about her and whether she would want to be there (@Morgan) I don't believe we have time to send word and get her here (Adalbrecht) It would take a week... (@Morgan) Then there will not be time (@Morgan) The options before us are send a messenger to tell her, or I tell her when I see her (Adalbrecht) E: I do not think it wise to wait a week. *He looks at Morgan frankly* (@Morgan) I don't believe the Eisenfurst would be willing to wait that long. (@Morgan) So, again, we tell her by messenger, or we tell her when I see her (Adalbrecht) E: Good. That saves any... consequences * Adalbrecht glances at Edward (Adalbrecht) What consequences do you mean, Edward? (@Morgan) Come on father, she's only been held a few days and look at the havoc she caused... imagine what she could get up to with a full week (Adalbrecht) E: *He looks at Morgan* Yes, but actually I meant you. (@Morgan) in what way? (Adalbrecht) E: We have all walked off the battlefield relieved to be alive, and with the intent of treating our prisoners of war with dignity. Those first few hours are just relief. After that, it starts to niggle at you. The fallen comrades, the men you carried out to safety only to have them die anyway *His injured shoulder twitches slughtly*. And your resolve to be merciful weakens. (@Morgan) I see * Adalbrecht sips his blokners, watching them quietly ** Morgan has quit (Quit: This computer has gone to sleep) ** You are now disconnected (Software caused connection abort) ------------------------------ Logging started for Blitzed:#7thseaic on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 15:07:24 British Summer Time ------------------------------ ** Reconnecting to irc.blitzed.org:6667… -NickServ- Welcome to Blitzed IRC Network, Adalbrecht! 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 ** cantillon.be.eu.blitzed.org sets mode(s) +nt ** ChanServ sets mode(s) -o Adalbrecht ** You are now disconnected ------------------------------ Logging started for Blitzed:#7thseaic on Wednesday, 16 September 2020 17:55:07 British Summer Time ------------------------------ ** You have joined #7thseaic (Molly) C&p pls ** You're now known as Adalbrecht (@Morgan) E: *He looks at Morgan* Yes, but actually I meant you. (@Morgan) in what way? (@Morgan) E: We have all walked off the battlefield relieved to be alive, and with the intent of treating our prisoners of war with dignity. Those first few hours are just relief. After that, it starts to niggle at you. The fallen comrades, the men you carried out to safety only to have them die anyway *His injured shoulder twitches slughtly*. And your resolve to be merciful weakens. (@Morgan) I see (@Morgan) * Adalbrecht sips his blokners, watching them quietly (@Morgan) I'm not being particularly merciful... I'm being practical (Adalbrecht) E: *He looks like he might say something, but instead sips his drink * Adalbrecht looks at Morgan (Adalbrecht) Will Varick need time to say goodbye to her? (@Morgan) I'm not sure... He has asked if he has to (Adalbrecht) What did you say? (@Morgan) Not if he doesn't want to. I'm not forcing him to speak to a woman who was so cruel and tried to kill him * Adalbrecht drinks before speaking (Adalbrecht) So some time might be needed if he does choose to? * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) perhaps (Adalbrecht) Also, tomorrow is Friday. (@Morgan) I know (Adalbrecht) We cannot have an execution on a Friday. (Adalbrecht) E: *He sips the blokners, watching them quietly* (@Morgan) I'm going to need you to elaborate * Adalbrecht frowns (Adalbrecht) We do not execute on a Friday, because the condemned persons soul cannot make its way out of Theah on a Friday. * Adalbrecht looks absolutely genuine (@Morgan) Very well (Adalbrecht) E: *He watches Adalbrecht {unimpressed} "Saturday then." * Adalbrecht looks at Morgan (Adalbrecht) Will Molly be well enough by Saturday? (@Morgan) Does she have to be there? * Adalbrecht frowns (Adalbrecht) I am unsure * @Morgan smiles slightly (@Morgan) would anyone like to try to _make_ me have her present * Adalbrecht raises an eyebrow (Adalbrecht) You would refuse the command of your Graf or your Eisenfurst? (@Morgan) You would command it, given what she's gone through? (Adalbrecht) *Edward tops up the glasses quietly (Adalbrecht) No. I was just curious (@Morgan) In all seriousness, to keep her or Varick safe, aye. (@Morgan) Luckily both my Graf and my Eisenfurst are reasonable men * Adalbrecht nods (Adalbrecht) Do you think _she_ will want to be there? * @Morgan sighs, drinking (@Morgan) perhaps (Adalbrecht) *Edward is frowning* And you don't want her to be? (@Morgan) I don't want her to do anything that will be a detriment to her, health or emotionally (Adalbrecht) E: *He shrugs* So command her. She is your _wife_. * Adalbrecht barely manages to keep his neutral expression * @Morgan laughs hard * Adalbrecht loses his composure, laughing with his heir (Adalbrecht) E; *He frowns* A wife should respect her husband's instructions (@Morgan) Should a husband not respect her wishes? (Adalbrecht) E: that is not the same (@Morgan) Perhaps its an Avalonian trait... perhaps it is something you will only understand once you are wed (Adalbrecht) E: Mina will trust me to make decisions on her behalf, especially ones of this magnitude * Adalbrecht smiles (@Morgan) I'm sure she will, as I'm sure does Molly... but thats not to say respecting what she wishes to do would be wrong... (Adalbrecht) E: *He shakes his head* I _tese (Adalbrecht) E: I _respect_ that Mina wishes to stay in Fischler until I leave, but she will do what I have _chosen_ in her best interest * Adalbrecht shrugs (Adalbrecht) Women are like horses. (@Morgan) best kept in a stable? * Adalbrecht shakes his head (Adalbrecht) Some people prefer spirited horses, and some are... less able to handle that * @Morgan winces, drinking his blokners * Adalbrecht watches him, a hint of amusement in his expression. Edward is frowning deeply again (Adalbrecht) E: You imply I like biddable women because I cannot handle more wilful ones, Father? * Adalbrecht glances at Morgan's expression (@Morgan) You needn't ask for my help getting out of that one (Adalbrecht) I think that you have inherited my preference for more biddable, Edward. Aside from a handful of occassions, your Mother is very quick to follow my instructions (Adalbrecht) *Edward glances at Morgan, brows raised* Indeed, Father * Adalbrecht looks to Morgan * @Morgan looks at his father enquiringly (Adalbrecht) And you have inherited your great grandfather Abelard's preference for spirit, my grandmother Lisette was in some ways very like Molly * @Morgan nods (Adalbrecht) He would certainly not have been able to keep her from anything she wanted to go to. He worshiped the ground she walked on * @Morgan sips his drink\ (Adalbrecht) *Edward watches them* (@Morgan) I've always thought Edward to be more like you than I am * Adalbrecht nods (Adalbrecht) I agree (Adalbrecht) E: *He looks impassive* If you are going to permit her attendance, more delay may be needed * @Morgan shakes his head (@Morgan) if she's not strong enough on the timescale, she'll have to not be there (Adalbrecht) E: I want to be sure Mina has left, but Saturday is good in my mind * Adalbrecht nods * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) it depends on Varick wanting to speak with her or not (Adalbrecht) There will be time tomorrow for that and her to see a priest * @Morgan nods * Adalbrecht nods thoughtfully, and the decision seems to be made (Adalbrecht) Do we want to tell her? (Adalbrecht) E: *He watches Morgan closely, unspeaking * (@Morgan) She must know. Its the right thing to do * Adalbrecht looks exasperated (Adalbrecht) Do we want to tell her personally? * @Morgan rolls his eyes (@Morgan) If you wish to. I have no interest in doing so (Adalbrecht) E: *He sips his Blokners {surprise}* You have no intention of seeing her? (@Morgan) Why should I? (Adalbrecht) E: I did not say you _should_ (@Morgan) No, why should I want to... for what reason would I wish to? (Adalbrecht) E: Answers, to scream at her a while? Who knows (@Morgan) While I could extract answers from her, I've had the answers to the questions I've asked, and thats enough. She is facing her punishment, I have no interest in rubbing her nose in it, nor any further interest in why she did it (Adalbrecht) E: *He nods slowly* That is very Avalonian of you (@Morgan) oh? (Adalbrecht) E: Most Eisen men would want, perhaps need, some form of retribution, even if just verbal * Adalbrecht nods (@Morgan) It would be pointless (Adalbrecht) E: *He smiles slightly* That would be irrelevant. * @Morgan shrugs (@Morgan) You do what you must, I feel no need to (Adalbrecht) I'll tell her tomorrow. (@Morgan) You wish to know why? (Adalbrecht) Why what? (@Morgan) Why she's done all of this... (@Morgan) or do you wish for some retribution? (Adalbrecht) To make herself Grafin Sudlachenberg or Eisenfurstin Fischler, you said (@Morgan) Then why do you feel the need to tell her yourself? (Adalbrecht) So that she understands that she has lost all hope that I will do anything for her (@Morgan) I hope you are not thinking that will make any difference... (Adalbrecht) E: *He frowns but says nothing* (Adalbrecht) You believe it will not? (@Morgan) She was much the same with me until she realised I was not going to help her, so no, I do not (Adalbrecht) **Edward speaks quietly* His Grace's head of security would be better. It is then clear that not only is it a done deal, but that none of us care enough to tell her ourselves * Adalbrecht looks questioningly at Morgan * @Morgan shrugs (@Morgan) Again, if you feel you need to, that is your choice (Adalbrecht) You have no preference? (@Morgan) my only concern is that you are not disappointed when you do not get the desired response (@Morgan) Edward makes an excellent suggestion, but if you feel you should tell her out of duty or something else, I'm not going to stop you (Adalbrecht) Given that her actions very nearly destroyed the future of Sudlachenburg today, I have no duty to her. (@Morgan) Then I'd suggest Edwards idea is the right one * Adalbrecht nods, then frowns (Adalbrecht) Where will we bury her? * @Morgan shrugs (Adalbrecht) As steward, you would need to give consent for it to be at Koln or Innesbruck (@Morgan) She is not being buried in my Freiarrdom (@Morgan) Koln either (Adalbrecht) E: *He frowns* what? * @Morgan looks at Edward (@Morgan) I've told you, Varick is not Alarice's son (Adalbrecht) E: *He frowns* I do not recall that?? * @Morgan shrugs (@Morgan) Varick is not Alarice's son... (Adalbrecht) E: *He looks confused* I was there five weeks before his birth, and six weeks afterwards... Alarice must be his mother * @Morgan shakes his head (@Morgan) her child was stillborn (Adalbrecht) E: Then who is Varick's mother? (@Morgan) The wetnurse (Adalbrecht) E: *He smiles* Natasha? * @Morgan nods (Adalbrecht) E: That's why he set her aside, because she was with child? (@Morgan) Thats also why he murdered her, because they switched Varick with Alarice's child, and since he was the father... (Adalbrecht) **Edward blinks multiple times** _He_ murdered her?! I thought it was an attack by the sons of the men who killed her husband * @Morgan shakes his head (@Morgan) That, I believe, was a setup (Adalbrecht) E: *He frowns* That is awful. She was a lovely woman, ussuran. * @Morgan sips his blokners (Adalbrecht) E: *He looks thoughtful* Does Varick know? (@Morgan) Some of it, aye (Adalbrecht) E: If you ever want me to talk to him about what I recall of her, I can * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I think when times are calmer, that may help him a great deal (Adalbrecht) E: *He nods* So Alarice should be buried with her stillborn child. (@Morgan) No. * Adalbrecht looks at his son (Adalbrecht) It would make sense (@Morgan) The child is buried in Koln (Adalbrecht) And your objection to burying her there too is...? (@Morgan) I do not wish to have her tainting the place * Adalbrecht frowns (Adalbrecht) Which leaves us with Die Dauerhaftigkeit... * @Morgan sighs (@Morgan) I'll make you a deal... (Adalbrecht) E: *He frowns* (Adalbrecht) What deal? (@Morgan) Bury her with her child, in an unmarked grave, and you have the headstone in Sudlachenburg (Adalbrecht) Why? (@Morgan) Because I don't want Varick having that reminder in Koln of the woman who tried to kill him to get to someone else so close when he takes over * Adalbrecht nods thoughtfully (Adalbrecht) Would Innesbruck not solve that? (Adalbrecht) E: *He watches both men* (@Morgan) I'm not having her in my Freiarrdom, especially after what she inflicted on those people (Adalbrecht) E: How exactly has Innesbruck become your Freiarrdom? (@Morgan) It goes to Alarice's child, and if there is none, to me (Adalbrecht) E: *He mulls it over, gradually his frown becomes almost a scowl* I see (@Morgan) Whats your issue Edward? (Adalbrecht) E: Nothing. *he drinks some blokners* I have an idea for Alarice's body (@Morgan) Edward... come on, lets have it (Adalbrecht) E: Leave it, Morgan. *his eyes are cool, his expression firm* * Adalbrecht watches them both with a hint of dismat (Adalbrecht) Dismay* * @Morgan rolls his eyes (@Morgan) very well, if you wish to go backwards, that is your choice (Adalbrecht) E: *He folds his arms* I suggest we ask His Grace to put her body where they would bury anyone else who committed a crime and was executed here. * Adalbrecht waits for Morgan's opinion (@Morgan) _youre_ the one who said she should be buried with her child (Adalbrecht) E: Well sometimes people change their minds. * Adalbrecht sighs heavily, finishing his blokners (@Morgan) You're acting like a child Edward. I've given a solution I am willing to work with, the two of you can decide if we go with that or ask his Grace (Adalbrecht) I will ask His Grace in the morning. Is there anything else before I retire? I am not in the mood for whatever this squabble is, it has been a long day. * @Morgan shrugs (@Morgan) I have nothing else (Adalbrecht) E: *He bows his head* It is not a squabble Father. I have asked Morgan to leave it, and I believe he will respect that. * Adalbrecht stands, bowing briefly to them both * @Morgan inclines his head (Adalbrecht) Goodnight then. Do not let it lead to bloodshed, we have had more than enough Koertig blood shed today. * Adalbrecht walks off, leaving them to it ** You're now known as Edward * Edward stands after Adalbrecht is gone * @Morgan watches him, sipping his drink (Edward) I am returning to the drawing room. As I am sending my betrothed away tomorrow, I'd like to spend an hour in her company tonight before I do. (@Morgan) Before you go, Edward... (Edward) Yes? (@Morgan) I am going to leave it, but I want you to know _why_ I want to know... * Edward simply watches him (@Morgan) If there is something that irks you about the situation, I want to try to alleviate it... I am desperate for you and I to have the relationship we could have, and I do not wish to have something get in the way if I can do anything about it. You understand? (Edward) I understand. * Edward gives no indication that he will give in on this (@Morgan) I _hope_ that whatever it is, you will not hold it against me * Edward , against his better judgement, stays a moment (Edward) I do not hold it against you * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) I am glad. Is there anything I can do to ease what clearly annoys you (Edward) No. Unless you can travel to the past, there is nothing you can do. * @Morgan nods (@Morgan) Not something I've tried. I'm sorry that something to do with me has displeased you again. I would not have it that way by choice * Edward sighs, shaking his head (Edward) I am not displeased with you. I am displeased with the situation, and myself. (@Morgan) You spend a lot of time displeased with yourself... I think its a Koertig trait, though it may have started with us * Edward shrugs briefly (Edward) Perhaps. * Edward exhales slowly, then smiles slightly (Edward) Thirty years of marriage, and Father still doesn't realise that Mother seems biddable because he has already tailored his demands to make her happy. (@Morgan) You realise that suggests you will end up the same... (Edward) No, I will never allow that *he remains stoic for far longer than most would manage before smiling slightly* * @Morgan smiles (@Morgan) I think you're right, though.. he has no idea, does he (Edward) No. At least you are aware of it. * @Morgan shrugs (@Morgan) apparently I'm just more able to deal with spirited women (Edward) *He smiles* I am very glad you are still having to do so this evening, brother (@Morgan) as am I... thank you for staying, I'm glad we could at least sort out that the issue is not between us. Now go and spend some time with your betrothed, * Edward inclines his head (Edward) If you will excuse me, I will go to my biddable betrothed as I have some bids for her. * @Morgan laughs * Edward bows and goes, leaving Morgan alone in his temporary office space * @Morgan finishes his blokners before checking the time * @Morgan heads off towards his rooms (Edward) **when he gets to the stairs, he finds Ana, Mia and Katherine sat at the bottom of them, on the steps, an act that would certainly get them told off if they were caught (@Morgan) ladies... (Edward) **They all rise and curtsey. They look tired now ** You're now known as Ana (@Morgan) Should you not all be away to your beds? (Ana) We did not want to go until we had checked we weren't still needed. (Ana) **Mia tries hard not to yawn* (@Morgan) by me? (Ana) Yes, or the Veisgrafin, my Lord (@Morgan) I'm sure we will manage if anything comes up, and I would not wish you to push yourselves so hard (Ana) We will be in at four o'clock tomorrow morning again (@Morgan) Then I'll see you in the morning, now away to your beds and, one hopes, sweet dreams (Ana) **they all curtsey* (Ana) And you, my Lord. I hope the Veisgrafin is feeling better tomorrow (@Morgan) Thank you ladies (Ana) **they head off, and he faintly hears their chatter as they go, talking about the ball gown again* * @Morgan smiles, continuing on his way ** You are now disconnected