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Logging started for 192.168.1.82:#7thsea on Sunday, 24 October 2021 18:19:32 British Summer Time
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** You have joined #7thsea
(HH) **HH comes in, taking a brief look at Morgan and Florrie before saying** Jus' coming to let you know everything's fine.
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) $you alright?$
(Morgan) Thank you... our guests all settled in?
(HH) $fine. You?$
* HH nods
(HH) All settled.
(Morgan) Excellent... just showing Alice and Florrie the ship before Christopher arrives
(HH) Y' want me t' come round with you?
(Morgan) No, I think we're fine 
* HH nods, leaving them to it. **The rest of the tour is straightforward, they're definitely impressed by his ship. The crew seem curious but very polite. He walks them back to the Blessing, Florrie holding his hand again**
(HH) A: We will sail at first light, but I am sure we will see you pass.
* Morgan smiles faintly
(Morgan) there's a good chance... I'll have someone looking out for you in Tawstock, but if there's no-one to meet you, head for the Torrington estate. 
(HH) **Alice nods. Florrie looks to Morgan "See again soon?"
* Morgan nods, crouching down
(Morgan) A few days
(HH) **Florrie hugs him. Alice looks surprised**
(HH) A: You've made a big impression,  she never hugs anyone
* Morgan hugs her back gently before letting her go
(Morgan) No-one?
(HH) **Florrie goes to her mother** A: Aside from me, and very occasionally my youngest brother, no.
(Morgan) Then I'm exceptionally honoured
(HH) A: I'm glad we met you. I dont know what the chances of it are, but I'm glad
(Morgan) difficult as its been so far, I'm glad too...
(HH) A: *she nods** We'll see you in a few days. Safe journey
(Morgan) and you
* Morgan winks at Florrie before heading back to his ship
(HH) **HH and Claudia are on deck waiting for him** Got coffee in yer study, yer majesty. Prisoner has been checked.
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) thank you
* HH and Claudia come down with him
(HH) Tell us t' clear off if y' need to be alone for a bit
* Morgan leads them into the study
(Morgan) I'm alright... 
(HH) **they settle into their usual seats. HH pours whilst Claudia watches Morgan intently with those pale eyes ((how alright does he look?))
(Morgan) ((he looks calm))
(Morgan) Claudia... stop it
(HH) **She continues it** You look calm. It's not how most people would look.
* HH puts down their coffees before sprawling in his chair
(HH) She's gotta point.
* Morgan sips his coffee, closing his eyes for a moment before looking at her again
(Morgan) What reassurance do you want?
(HH) C: I want to know what's going on with you. We've got that swine on board now, it's even more important for us to know what you're thinking, whether you may end up down there beating him.
(Morgan) We need to instruct the crew that if he starts becoming a problem, they need to get one of us... 
(HH) C: Done it
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) he's contained and as long as nothing untoward occurs, he'll be dealt with. Its probably best I stay away from him, and thats what I intend to do, barring the necessary, telling him what to do and so forth
(HH) Guard him fr'm you?
(Morgan) My only concern is if I have something like the other day where a dream sort of stays with me...
(HH) C: Maybe Heinzharold should sleep in here
(Morgan) I can see why you'd think so
(HH) I'll do it if tha's what y' want
(Morgan) I dont think I need you to
* HH nods
(HH) C: See how it goes then
* Morgan nods
(HH) Well, I'm ready now
(Morgan) ready for...
(HH) You pessimists to admit y' were wrong an' I was right
(Morgan) your blind optimism was correct for a change
* HH nods
(HH) I was right, you were wrong.
(Morgan) a stopped clock is right twice a day
* HH nods
(HH) An' a slow clock never is, like you *he grins*
(Morgan) Right more often than you
(HH) Are not
* Morgan shrugs, sipping his coffee
(HH) C: What matters is that the bastard is locked up tight and going to die.
(HH) No chance he'll get away with it a' the trial?
(Morgan) I don't think so, but I'm not worried if he does
(HH) C: Morgan will kill him if the Duchess doesnt
(Morgan) needs to be done a certain way... politics...
(HH) C: *she huffs* It doesnt,  you just want to fix things too. Whereas I dont give a shit about politics
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) well, yes... but he still dies
(HH) If he gets off the trial, just cut 'is head off. It's Act O' Eisen, just like Act O' God
(HH) C: But more violent.
(HH) So what now? Four days of not beatin' him... what we doin' when we get t' Tawstock?
(Morgan) Kit and I will be taking him to sign a new will...
* HH grins
(HH) Y' won't need me for a bit then?
* Morgan shakes his head
(Morgan) go see your wife
(HH) Oh I will!
(HH) **Claudia rolls her eyes** You want me to take him with Kit for the Will?
(Morgan) No, I need to see this through
* HH nods
(Morgan) though...
* HH and Claudia look at him questioningly
(Morgan) If I end up being the one to kill him, my being there when he signs his will could cause issues
(HH) C: I'll come with you, you can stand outside.
(HH) Doesn' help him sneak in three minutes with 'is wife though
(HH) C: **she rolls her eyes, sipping her coffee**
(Morgan) We'll see... got a few days to decide
(HH) ** They nod**
(HH) Hard t' believe we're goin' home
* Morgan nods
(HH) C: It won't feel finished until he's dead and it's finished with Elsie
* Morgan nods
* HH looks at Morgan
(HH) Mebbie I'll be an optimist for tha' too
(Morgan) We can hope
(HH) C: Reckon it's likely?
* Morgan shrugs
(Morgan) I've no idea, but... its possible.
(HH) C: Scared?
(Morgan) of?
(HH) C: Elsie dying, Molly being upset?
(Morgan) worried...
(HH) C: *she nods*
(HH) Are Alice an' Florrie going to Tawstock?
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) They'd like to meet Molly and Varick...
(HH) That gonna be tough for y'?
(Morgan) Possibly
(HH) Anything we can do?
* Morgan shakes his head before looking at Claudia
(Morgan) sorry I didn't warn you
(HH) C: **she shrugs** It's fine. Getting flashbacks?
(Morgan) One or two, but nothing horrendous
(HH) C: As long as it's nothing horrible
(Morgan) Not so far...
* HH sips his coffee
(HH) C: Dreams worse last night?
(Morgan) Last night was horrendous
(HH) C: why?
(HH) C: Oh, yeah. Travelling this much it's hard to keep the days straight
* Morgan nods
(HH) Gonna be trouble tonight?
(Morgan) I've no idea... I don't see these things coming
* HH nods
(HH) Word o' warning, don't go looking in the mirror when yer picking her up
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) Alice is rather surprised at how Florence has reacted to me
(HH) HH: whysat?
(Morgan) She hugged me as I walked them back... apparently apart from Alice, she only hugs Alice's brother, and thats very rare
* HH nods
(HH) More surprised 'ow you've reacted to her, t' be honest
(Morgan) Its not been particularly easy... 
(HH) Mebbie talking to us would 'elp ya?
* Morgan shrugs
(Morgan) its just... difficult, seeing her, how similar she is
(HH) C: Like your brain can't immediately work out what is past and present?
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) the red shoes didn't help
* HH and Claudia both look confused
(Morgan) the day of the fire, my father had bought Jana a pair of red leather shoes... Florence has some just the same
* HH nods
(HH) That's hard
* Morgan nods
(HH) C: Her mother doesnt look like Dietlinde  though
(Morgan) Couple of little things, but no...
* HH shakes his head "She does if you look a' the detail, not the big picture"
(HH) Mina looks less like Dietlinde than Alice, so 'opefully their kids won't look like Florrie
* Morgan nods
(HH) C: Assuming they have any.
(Morgan) I hope so
(HH) Edward likely to want 'is kid to raise 'imself?
(Morgan) I get the impression thats tough luck if he does
(HH) C: Legally speaking, he's got every right
(Morgan) legally speaking if he tries, I'll beat the crap out of him. 
(HH) **they laugh** Is Edward that childish an' spoilt though?
(Morgan) I'm going to talk to him about it... 
(HH) Goin' to Sudlachenburg after we're done in Tawstock?
(Morgan) I suppose I'll have to
(HH) Gonna have to talk t' Mina too?
(Morgan) I'll see what he wants to do
(HH) **They nod**
(HH) Can y' imagine bein' a fly in th' wall when yer Father finds out?
(Morgan) He's going to need reining in
(HH) **Claudia grins** I could do that
* HH looks at Morgan
(HH) Prob'ly a bad idea
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) I'll deal with it
* HH nods
(HH) So I gotta deal with my wife 'olding a couple of newborns _and_ seeing Florrie?! You know how broody she's gonna be?
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) exceptionally
* HH frowns a little
(HH) Wha' about yours?
(Morgan) probably
(HH) Not gonna be any upset there?
(Morgan) because...
(HH) Reminders of you being married before? B'cause she looks like a mix of you and Dietlinde? Women are crazy, who knows?
(Morgan) could be... we've discussed it before, but its always a concern
(HH) Have t' wait an see. We should be there b'fore them, but are y' gonna tell Molly if y' go dream hopping?
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) I think so
(HH) C: give her time to get used to it?
* Morgan nods
(HH) **At five, there's a knock on the door, one Morgan hasn't heard since he last visited his uncle early in his time during the War on a two month  leave between the Basilisk and the Oreste when he was 17.
(HH) The trip started with seeing the Schattenmann in Sudlachenburg, took him briefly to Innismore and north Vesten for a few days to sightseeing, and then to meet his new ship, the Oreste, and it's commander, Kauffmann. Back a decade ago, when Morgan still had the intention of winning the War, having an arranged marriage and ruling the grafdom.**
* HH knows this knock from last years errand running for Verity, so finishes his coffee, motioning for Claudia to do likewise
* Morgan gets up, going to the door
** You're now known as Christopher
* Christopher is a man in his late forties, quite tall and broad, but has the softness of Avalon living, not the hardness of Eisen service. He wears a bottle green satin smoking jacket, and looks equally opulent and casual at the same time. He looks Morgan over with the same blue eyes Morgan shares with both him and his mother.
(Christopher) Look at you, dear boy! How you have grown!
(Christopher) **Christopher hugs him with an easy warmth that Morgan has never quite had from Adalbrecht, a more reserved man physically**
(Morgan) like a weed, uncle... its good to see you
* Christopher nods, ruffling Morgan's hair as he always used to, just like Morgan now does to Varick
(Christopher) A fine ship, very fine indeed
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) She's a good ship, fast
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) Very nice. Someone in your kitchen is making up a pot of tea. I've finally got it growing well in my greenhouse, you know. I've brought you some to take to your wife from me.
(Christopher) **HH and Claudia come to the door** HH: We 'ave some work, so we'll leave y' to it, Morgan
* Morgan nods to them before looking at his uncle and offering a seat
(Morgan) my wife sends her love... she's sorry she couldn't make it this time
* Christopher comes to sit down, looking around
(Christopher) It can't be helped,  but I look forward to meeting her when I can
(Morgan) she's looking forward to meeting you
(Christopher) And I her *he smiles*
* Christopher looks at the bookcase "Still an avid reader?"
(Morgan) Not as much as I used to be... I always seem to have so much to do
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) Reading is a Hockridge hobby. How are they in Sudlachenburg?
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) very well... Edwards getting married
* Christopher smiles broadly
(Christopher) Is he now! Well that's a surprise
(Morgan) he's been besotted with his betrothed for years
(Christopher) Quietly then! Now, would you like to tell me Bout his wife to be, or your wife first?
(Christopher) About *
* Christopher looks very relaxed and at ease
(Morgan) mine, I think... what would you like to know?
(Christopher) Let's hear it all, shall we?
(Morgan) Her mothers actually from Durham, her father a Balig man
(Christopher) What a small world! *he chuckles* A family I might know?
(Morgan) Andrews family, lived near the docks
* Christopher shakes his head
(Christopher) I don't know them
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) Molly's... well, headstrong, wilful, beautiful, loving...
* Christopher smiles, pausing whilst the tea is brought in and he's poured some for himself and his nephew
(Christopher) Clashes with your Father, does she?
* Morgan nods, smiling
(Morgan) somewhat, aye
* Christopher nods
(Morgan) I think she's been good for him too
(Christopher) Yes?
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) I think she helps him understand me
(Christopher) That is a nice trait in a partner, dont you think?
* Morgan nods
(Christopher) And you met in Balig, from what your Mother has said
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) she helped me a great deal to heal
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) That is good. I hope you know Foxcroft was always open to you
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) After losing Dietlinde and Jana, I couldn't be around family... I needed time alone
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) Of course, dear boy
(Christopher) I am not hurt about it. I merely want you to know you were always welcome there
* Morgan nods
(Christopher) I should have reached out to you before they died and made the offer for you all to live with me at Foxcroft. I am sorry I didn't.
(Morgan) I think I was too headstrong to do that anyway
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) You wouldn't have wanted to take them away from their home and community,  no doubt
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) indeed
(Christopher) I assumed eventually your father would be more reasonable and things would go on as they were supposed to, with you living in Die Dauerhaftigkeit with your family after your father passes
(Morgan) sadly it was not to be
(Christopher) No. I am sad I did not get to meet Dietlinde and Jana, but everyone thinks they have time for things until the time is gone
* Morgan nods
(Christopher) Are you able to talk about them yet, or is it still too raw, dear boy?
(Morgan) its difficult still, but I will endeavour to answer your questions about them
(Christopher) What were they like?
(Morgan) Dietlinde was very gentle, very sweet... Jana... I feel like I barely knew her... she had such a wonderful temperament, and was very loving
* Christopher smiles
(Christopher) It sounds like Jana took after you, you were a wonderful, good-natured little boy
* Christopher adds a little milk to his tea
(Morgan) with a love for sailing, apparently
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) Often out on the cliffs with a spy glass, or asking to ride to Durham
* Morgan smiles, nodding
(Christopher) What about Molly, does she like to sail?
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) she has some wanderlust... 
* Christopher smiles
(Christopher) A Hockridge problem too
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) we're sailing to unknown lands after Edwards wedding
(Christopher) What an adventure! I do hope you will come back and tell me all about it!
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) I plan to
* Christopher nods, gesturing at Morgans tea
(Christopher) Give that a try. The leaves are a bit different than regular tea, but I think you'll like it
* Morgan nods, picking up the cup and sipping at it
(Christopher) **It tastes rich and woody with a hint of honey**
(Morgan) thats really lovely
* Christopher smiles
(Christopher) I thought you would like it. There's a good sized box in your kitchen, but write to me and I'll send you on some more if you run out
(Morgan) oh I suspect I shall
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) It is officially called Iron Goddess Of Mercy, but we just call it Mercy Tea
(Morgan) Iron Goddess of Mercy?
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) Bizarre, isnt it?
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) very
(Christopher) Will you be settling down at Die Dauerhaftigkeit once you have been exploring?
(Morgan) Not to start with... Molly is the ambassador for Fischler to Capperlucia, so there'll be trade to setup... I'm taking the Grafdom of Gottkirchen, as well...
(Christopher) Keeping busy,  very good
* Morgan nods
(Christopher) What are your plans for Catterick?
(Morgan) You mean long term?
* Christopher nods
(Morgan) I don't know actually
(Christopher) Catterick is not a very profitable area, and for good reason
(Morgan) oh?
(Christopher) I keep the rents low and put aside what is made for a rainy day. I live quite simply. Your mother has never cared about the money that is made. The people are happy and I dare say healthier for it
** You are now disconnected

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(Morgan) Sounds perfect to me
(Christopher) I hope you will consider keeping things the same
(Morgan) is there enough aside to deal with any issues that arise?
(Christopher) Certainly. We are in a good position, just sensibly and frugally.
(Morgan) Then there is no reason to change things
(Christopher) Your grandparents wouldn't approve, of course, but they did not approve of me at all, so that's no surprise  *he smiles, sipping his tea*
* Morgan nods
(Christopher) Fortunately your Mother is a gentle woman, and has very little interest in the running of Catterick. It displeased her greatly when they passed me over
(Morgan) I would imagine it did
(Christopher) It's not the done thing, passing over a living son to a living daughter, but Hockridges don't follow rules easily. After all, my sister marrying into Eisen in the midst of a civil war was not the done thing either
(Morgan) Not doing the done thing seems to be something I've inherited
(Christopher) **he smiles* Yes, I recall when your father wrote to me about Dietlinde  I thought "Well, he is half-Hockridge, he can't be blamed for that"
* Morgan nods, sipping his tea
(Christopher) Neither she nor I was supposed to inherit,  did you know?
* Morgan shakes his head
(Morgan) I didn't
(Christopher) I was going through old family records last week. Our parents had two sets of twins before Verity was born, both sets passed in infancy
* Morgan frowns
(Morgan) I had no idea
(Christopher) ((In Molly's line, David has siblings that are twins, Martha is a twin and her mother had another set too))
(Christopher) It was the first time I had seen it, perhaps your mother doesn't know either
(Morgan) Molly and I should expect twins then... both her parents have siblings who are twins or are twins themselves
* Christopher smiles
(Christopher) How lovely! Yes, it sounds likely
* Morgan nods
(Christopher) An exciting prospect, dear boy!
(Morgan) daunting, I'd say
* Christopher smiles
(Christopher) Does Molly like children?
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) I should hope so, for our sons sake...
(Christopher) You have a son already? Wonderful
(Morgan) adopted, yes... 
(Christopher) He is Molly's by birth?
(Morgan) No no, he was Karstens son, Alarice's husband...
(Christopher) Do you know, I never liked him. I know we shouldn't speak ill of the dead, but though everyone else liked him I always thought him very calculating and shallow
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) you are absolutely correct in your assessment
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) And how are your cousins?
(Morgan) Ah, my father has not written?
(Christopher) Adalbrecht has never been much of a correspondent, and your mother forgets sometimes.
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) Jarvie has married and is with child... my father is _livid_
(Christopher) **he raises his brows** The _first part_ is a surprise.
* Morgan nods
(Christopher) I always thought Jarvie would have made a fine Hockridge
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) I agree
(Christopher) She is happy, I hope? That's a lot of weddings for one family in one year
(Morgan) She appears to be... she's worried, obviously, big changes for her
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) And Alarice? She is out of mourning now? ((It was March 69, so 18 months ago  she should have done 12-24 months))
(Morgan) Alarice... oh where to start with her
* Christopher sips his tea patiently
(Morgan) Yes, she came out of mourning to try her luck with me after a string of men... I think the important thing to know is she tried to poison Molly and got executed for it
* Christopher smiles slightly
(Christopher) That will teach me to mind my own business,  won't it?
* Morgan shrugs
(Morgan) it is what it is... was rather more complex than that, but you get the gist
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) And how is Edward?
(Morgan) He's in the dog house at the moment over allowing Jarvie to marry a ships captain but aside from that he's good. We're getting on really well at the moment
(Christopher) That is nice, you've always rubbed each other the wrong way
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) thats very true
(Christopher) Which noble woman is he marrying?
(Morgan) Mina Hapsburg... he'll be a Freiarr eventually
* Christopher smiles
(Christopher) That is a good match
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) They are crazy about eachother
(Christopher) How wonderful.  I am glad for him
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) me too
(Christopher) I hope to be at the wedding, I am sorry I missed yours. I was on a walking tour of the Highland Marches and by the time I got the invite I couldn't have made it in time
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) I doubt he'll ask you to sleep out in the cold like I have to
(Christopher) Why would he ask that?
(Morgan) its tradition in Graben that the groom and his best man sleep outdoors the night before the wedding
(Christopher) When are they getting married?
(Morgan) December
* Christopher laughs "What a jolly unpleasant experience!"
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) quite... but its important to him, so it will be done
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) I look forward to seeing it. I would like to have seen yours too**This reminds Morgan of his box of iconographs on the bokkshelf**
* Morgan nods, getting up to fetch them, placing them on the desk in front of his uncle
* Christopher is gentle with them. He goes through each meticulously, making comments about the beauty of Die Dauerhaftigkeit, how well Verity and Adalbrecht look...
(Christopher) And this is your son? He actually favours you, you know?
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) it goes back a few generations but his fathers line does meet mine...
(Christopher) Odd how that happens. He looks like a real character
(Morgan) just after that was taken, he dropped to the ground, wailing that his soul had been taken by the iconograph
* Christopher laughs heartily
(Christopher) I look forward to meeting him
* Morgan nods
* Christopher gets to the final picture, the one of Molly during the prep, pinching her lower lip and watching dreamly from the window
(Christopher) Oh now this you should have made to an oil painting!
(Morgan) I may yet...
(Christopher) Do you know, ever since your mother wrote that you were married I have assumed she was blonde
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) I'm not terribly surprised
* Christopher flicks back through
(Christopher) She looks like a very lively young lady
(Morgan) definitely spirited
* Christopher smiles
(Christopher) That suits you, I think? Encourages you own spiritedness
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) she's been very good for me
(Christopher) I am glad. When you left Sudlachenburg, we were all very worried for you
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) I couldn't bear to be there
(Christopher) That's the thing with life, sometimes only you can know what is necessary for you, and sometimes that means making a choice that others don't approve of.
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) I suspected you'd understand
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) I suspect I understand you more than most
* Morgan nods
(Christopher) Duty is well and good, until it clashes with being true to yourself. Then any time you follow duty, it will grate in your soul and breed resentment. You have one life, that is all. You can live fully an authentically, for you own happiness, or you can live it according to the happiness of others and the satisfaction of your duty. Either way, you will one day be old and have to reflect on it.
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) there's a bit of wisdom there...
* Christopher sips his tea "I didn't want to be an old man realising I neither liked or knew myself. I suspect you are similar."
* Morgan nods
(Christopher) Edward is fortunate, his duty and his wishes are quite aligned. He's always been more Koertig,  even as a small boy
** You are now disconnected

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(Christopher) [13:14] (Christopher) Edward is fortunate, his duty and his wishes are quite aligned. He's always been more Koertig,  even as a small boy
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) indeed
(Christopher) **After a while, they go their separate ways to prepare for dinner. The meal is very pleasant, and Christopher and Morgan chat about his childhood visits whilst drinking more Mercy tea. Christopher bids him goodnight with the promise of seeing him in the morning before leaving for Catterick, and gives Morgan the package from Innesbruck. A tired HH and Claudia also say goodnight.
(Christopher) **Ulysses is on the couch waiting when he gets to the study with more tea
** You're now known as Ulysses
* Morgan fusses him for a few minutes 
* Ulysses is very loudly purring then seems to have enough and goes to the bedroom
* Morgan follows him in
* Ulysses curls up in his usual spot on the footstool
* Morgan does his nightmare prep before finishing the tea and getting into bed
* Ulysses gets down, scratching at the wardrobe door
(Morgan) right, right...
* Morgan goers over, fetching the negligee from the wardrobe
(Ulysses) **It smells much more like her again. The cat goes back to the footstool
* Morgan takes it back to bed, getting under the covers
* Ulysses watches him with one eye
* Morgan yawns, trying to remember if he'd read that mornings entry
(Ulysses) **He has to go past friday and Saturday evening's letters to find it. It says "sunday 25th, morning. Good morning, liebling. With any luck, this is the last sunday for us without you, and we will all be reunited by the next. That is exciting, I hope you are underway and as eager to see me as I am to see you! Prayers and the catechism again today, and extra will be said for you. All my love, M xxx"
* Morgan closes the book and settles down, trying to sleep
* Ulysses miaows
(Morgan) come on then
(Ulysses) **Ulysses comes to climb under the sheets. The cat's purring is what sends him to sleep
** You're now known as Molly
(Molly) **It's several days before their wedding, and he wakes naked in Molly's bed in the nursery. She is also naked, bottom pressed to his crotch. They have not broken his promise not to have sex, despite how she begged him last night after the incident with Kai and Reinhardt. **They did use their hands on each other, and they have broken the promise about sleeping in the same bed. It is also just past dawn based on the light at the edge of the curtains. His arm is under her, the smell of her perfume all around him.
(Molly) **accidentally broken the promise
(Molly) **It's several days before their wedding, and he wakes naked in Molly's bed in the nursery. She is also naked, bottom pressed to his crotch. They have not broken his promise not to have sex, despite how she begged him last night after the incident with Kai and Reinhardt.
(Molly) **They did use their hands on each other, and they have broken the promise about sleeping in the same bed. It is also just past dawn based on the light at the edge of the curtains. His arm is under her, the smell of her perfume all around him.
* Morgan fidgets, trying to get his arm from under her
* Molly stirs
(Molly) Hmm?
(Morgan) I need to get up blossom
* Molly sighs heavily, moving off his arm
* Morgan climbs out of the bed, starting to dress
* Molly sits up, pulling her knees up
(Molly) Arent you tired of this?
(Morgan) of what?
(Molly) All of it. Always having to hold back, to do what everyone else wishes, never just choosing for yourself?
* Morgan sighs
(Morgan) I suppose so...
(Molly) _I_ am tired of it. I am so tired of think about what my father thinks, what your father thinks, what our mothers think... I'm tired of having to hold back on everything for fear of hurting or upsetting anyone *she sighs*
* Morgan nods, pulling on his boots
(Molly) I'm tired of doing so with you also.
* Morgan watches her
(Morgan) meaning
(Molly) It's _exhausting_, liebes herz, being so damnably careful to keep the intensity of my feelings hidden, to not ask too much of you, and to not make you feel guilty that you cannot love me more than you do.
* Morgan tilts his head
(Morgan) I'm sorry?
* Molly sighs again
(Molly) It doesn't matter. Let's deal with any fall out from this situation.
(Morgan) No... this is important
* Molly slips out of the bed with the sheet wrapped around her
(Molly) It isnt. I shouldn't have said anything
* Morgan stands still
(Morgan) Fine. Keep things from me, that will be a wonderful start to a marriage... 
(Molly) **There's movement out in the nursery parlour**
* Molly pulls on a shift, staying quiet
* Morgan scowls, moving to the door to look out
(Molly) **Inga is putting wood in the grate
(Molly) Is he still here?
* Morgan looks at her, speaking quietly
(Morgan) who?
(Molly) Kai. Did you send him away?
* Molly pulls on a dress
* Morgan watches her a moment before looking away
(Morgan) I'm going to speak to Reinhardt
(Molly) Let me find my shoes and I will join you
(Morgan) I'll go myself
(Molly) I want to come with you.
(Morgan) And I wanted an honest answer. Seems neither of us are getting what we want today
* Molly frowns
(Molly) You are being unkind
(Morgan) No, I am dealing with you the way you were dealing with me
* Molly puts her bare feet into shoes
(Molly) In that case you would be staying quiet for fear of hurting me, not _to_ hurt me, which is what you are doing
(Morgan) No, I'm hiding things from you, as you are doing to me...
(Molly) What am I to say? I have always had to hide myself to not overstep your lines, it is how the situation is
(Morgan) the truth...
* Molly puts her hands on her hips "Fine. The truth, all of it?"
* Morgan nods
(Molly) **There's a gentle tap at the door
(Morgan) what?
(Molly) **Inga opens it** I dont know if you realise, but you're talking too loudly to be sneaking around without getting caught
(Morgan) evidently
(Molly) **Inga leaves them, shutting the door
(Molly) The truth is that I am absolutely mad about you! Every waking moment is you in my head. I am well and truly besotted with you, and it is driving me crazy that I have to play it cool because you cannot love me like that!
(Morgan) Then you aren't paying attention... You think anything less than that could bring me back from where I was?
(Molly) Yes! I think wanting companionship and liking me well enough could do so!
(Morgan) to bring you here to be my wife? No... 
(Molly) You have a duty, and it is important to you. You need to have children to rule when you are gone, and you care for me enough to have them with me!
* Morgan shakes his head
(Morgan) you're wrong
(Molly) I, through the door: You're getting louder, not quieter! Someone will catch you, or you'll wake Varick!
(Molly) **she ignores Inga, too fired up** I hate holding back. I hate treading so carefully incase I remind you too much of the promises you made her and you leave me!
* Morgan moves closer to her, taking both her hands
* Molly watches him, very wound up
(Morgan) You do not need to worry... I didn't bring you here out of duty or because I merely care about you... I brought you here because I love you and want to spend my future reminding you of that as often as I can
* Molly squeezes his hands
(Molly) I thought I could do this. I thought I could continue to be so gentle and careful of you, but I can't...
* Morgan watches her
(Molly) I can't love you with half my heart. I haven't endured what you have. I have to love you entirely, I cant only love you enough. I have to love you without restriction. I can't bear to do it. I want  to love you with all the intensity I've tried to keep hidden. If I only ever get to be in love once, I want to do it without reservation
(Morgan) I have not asked for you to love with half your heart, have I?
(Molly) No, but I know that is all you can do
(Morgan) Again... you are wrong
* Molly frowns
(Molly) These promises to our fathers, they feel like a wall between us, a way I am kept at a distance
(Morgan) No... they are a demonstration of my resolve, a way to show that I am doing this properly so there is no way you can be denied, or taken from me.
(Molly) By whom?
(Morgan) _anyone_
(Molly) I hate it.
(Morgan) Its only for a few more days
(Molly) **There's a conversation outside**
(Molly) It's too long. I just need to be married _now_.
(Morgan) That is not an option... 
(Molly) No. Because we have to do things properly.
* Morgan nods
(Molly) **Inga taps at the door** The Graf wants you both down for breakfast, to be with your guest.
* Molly lets go of his hands, sighing
(Molly) We have to go
* Morgan nods
* Molly moves away
(Molly) Perhaps you should go on ahead, so noone knows we've broken your promise?
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) alright
* Molly starts pinning her hair
(Molly) I will join you soon
(Morgan) alright blossom
* Morgan goes to the door
** You're now known as Kai
* Kai is at the breakfast table looking very well-dressed. Adalbrecht and Verity are there and eating, Reinhardt is serving them
(Kai) R: *he motions Morgan aside, whispering* Where were you?! I looked everywhere!
(Morgan) busy. What the hells going on?
(Kai) R: Now isnt the time. I have put a stop to his plotting, and he cannot longer lie
* Morgan frowns
(Kai) V: Dear boy, have a seat. Colonel Dau rode a long time to see you.
* Morgan sits down
(Morgan) so he said
(Kai) Good morning, Morgan
* Kai looks like his usual arrogant self
(Morgan) Colonel...
(Kai) Is Molly joining us?
(Morgan) She'll be down soon
(Kai) I am looking forward to seeing her in the flesh
(Kai) **Adalbrecht and Verity dont seem to notice the oddness of the statement**
* Morgan raises an eyebrow
(Morgan) why?
(Kai) Because she should be mine, not yours
(Kai) **Adalbrecht and Verity assume he is just teasing Morgan, smiling
(Morgan) is that why you came here?
(Kai) I came here to take her and the ship from you
* Kai doesnt seem troubled that he is being far too honest
(Kai) R: *he serves Morgan breakfast*
(Morgan) the ship you had destroyed, you mean?
* Kai nods "The one I blew up, yes"
(Kai) **Adalbrecht and Verity look at Morgan*
(Kai) **Molly comes in, looking a little tense**
* Morgan watches her a moment
(Kai) **He looks her over** Yes, the redhead whore I fucked in the ass in the brothel because she reminded me of you does indeed look like you, Molly
* Morgan launches himself at Kai, fists flying
* Kai doesn't expect it, so gets knocked to the floor. Adalbrecht yells at Reinhardt to get Grunhelm immediately.
(Kai) **Verity has fainted, so Molly is gently helping her away from the table**
* Kai swings for Morgan too, not holding back with fists or feet, occasionally connecting
* Morgan drives a knee into Kais face
* Kai howls with pain
(Kai) A: Stand down, Morgan.
* Morgan growls with frustration, standing up and backing away
(Kai) A: *he looks at his son* You are a gentleman, resolve it like a gentleman.
(Morgan) You expect me to give this man an honourable death when he has none?
(Kai) A: I expect you not to taint the rooms of the house of our forefathers. Take it outside.
* Morgan nods, moving to grab Kai by the hair and drag him outside
* Kai shouts and makes a fuss
(Kai) That's it, show them all what a monster you truly are!
(Kai) **Noone follows them out into the courtyard. Kai draws his sword
* Morgan stands a distance away, unarmed
(Kai) **he feels a strange warm tingling in his fingers**
* Morgan frowns, looking at them
(Kai) **theres nothing to see. Kai takes the moment to throw a knife at Morgan's chest
* Morgan flinches sideways
(Kai) Bothers you, doesn't it, that I have fucked your wife... one of them at least.
(Morgan) You haven't... you fucked a girl you had to pay to show you affection
* Kai taps his head
(Kai) In my memories, she's your wife, but it's my name she cries out. She'll always have been your wife. There's no difference between any of them once you're inside them, as you'll find out. It's the thought of them that counts
(Morgan) The fact that in your sad, diseased mind, you made pretend it was Molly... thats supposed to bother me... I pity you. Such a proud man with so very little to show except a history of brutality and delusion. If you were a dog, you'd have been put down years ago
(Kai) We both know she liked me. We both know you dont deserve her
(Morgan) I don't deserve her, I'm well aware of that... and she tolerated you. 
(Kai) How long until you get her killed? How long until you fail her too? *he flourishes his sword arrogantly**
(Kai) **the tingling gets even stronger, almost itchy, pent up**
* Morgan rubs his fingers together before drawing his sword
(Morgan) you're going to die here
* Kai laughs
(Kai) Not before you are broken.
* Morgan smiles slightly
(Morgan) You believe I am not... that is your mistake... come along, I have things to do today
(Kai) You think a man who blew up a ship cannot blow up a breakfast room containing your future wife, your mother and father? Cant you smell that?
(Kai) **he can faintly smell burning now, and his fingers turn unbearably hot themselves**
* Morgan shakes his hand
(Kai) **he feels a deep pulling sensation, like  a magnet pulling at another magnet**
* Morgan drops his sword
(Morgan) what the fuck is that?
(Kai) **he hears Verity shout his name**
(Kai) Losing your mind again, pathetic.
* Morgan starts moving around Kai, towards the house
(Kai) They'll all die because of you, Morgan. You are doomed to lose everyone you love!
(Morgan) If they are harmed, you and I are going to spend a long _long_ time together...
(Kai) **Kai just laughs. Morgan suddenly collides with something**
* Morgan looks
(Kai) ***He can hear pained screams now, Molly, Verity, Adalbrecht. But Molly is stood in front of him, looking at him seriously
(Kai) M: We are not doing this, liebes herz. It is just a nightmare. Wake up.
(Kai) **he feels a sensation almost like being shoved, and he awakens**
** You're now known as Ulysses
* Ulysses shoots out of the bed
* Morgan tumbles out of bed
(Ulysses) ((Distress and desperation?))
(Morgan) ((mid to highish))
(Ulysses) **His fingers tingle, but it feels well under control**
* Morgan sits back down, calling quietly to the cat
* Ulysses comes back in slowly
(Morgan) I scared you, huh?
(Ulysses) **he estimates it's about an hour and a half before dawn
* Ulysses jumps up on the bed
* Ulysses miaows, sniffing Morgan's tingling fingers
* Morgan concentrates on calming down, breathing deep and slow
* Ulysses drags the negligee out and onto his lap
* Morgan nods takes it, inhaling Molly's scent
(Ulysses) **the tingling reduces, then stops
* Morgan puts the negligee back down, rolling his neck
* Ulysses purrs
(Ulysses) **its too late to go back to sleep, even first light still an hour away
* Morgan offers his hand to the cat again
* Ulysses climbs up on Morgan's chest
* Morgan starts stroking the cat gently
(Morgan) sorry little man
* Ulysses settles to sleep
(Morgan) No point doing that, I'm getting up
* Ulysses just stays there
* Morgan gently moves him to the bed
* Ulysses stays there
* Morgan starts getting dressed
(Ulysses) ((Going somewhere specific?))
(Morgan) ((just up on deck after getting coffee))
(Ulysses) **neither of his friends are there, and Koen is on watch. The dark turns to first light, and down the dock he can see the Blessing being prepared to sail, his own ship doing likewise**
* Morgan watches the other ship, drinking his coffee
** You're now known as Christopher
* Christopher comes up on deck with a bag just after dawn
(Christopher) Good morning, dear boy
(Morgan) morning... how did you sleep?
(Christopher) Wonderfully, and you?
(Morgan) I've had worse nights
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) I have a breakfast date at Coleraine, so I must be going. It's been wonderful to see you
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) thank you for coming, I've really enjoyed seeing you
* Christopher hugs him
(Christopher) Come to Catterick any time, I look forward to meeting your wife and son
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) I'll write soon
* Christopher nods
(Christopher) Take care, dear boy
* Morgan nods
(Morgan) I will
* Christopher goes down the gangplank and onto the dock. He walks right past the ship that contains his great-niece, completely oblivious to her existence
(Christopher) **The Blessing leaves not long after, and just as the Rose is almost ready a messenger brings Morgan a letter from Coleraine. Morgan still hasnt seen HH or Claudia, though he's briefly seen Sorgi making preparations.
* Morgan opens the message, reading it
(Christopher) **The letter provides a reference for Richard Roberts and is glowing, citing the personal request of the man to leave, and that the Lord would be very happy to employee him in future**
** You're now known as Sorgi
* Sorgi comes to Morgan
(Sorgi) Ready to go, m'lord?
(Morgan) where's the others?
** logs has quit (Read error: Connection reset by peer)
** logs has joined #7thsea
(Sorgi) Heinzharold has a bee in his bonnet about only having four days to get your window seat finished. Claudia is guarding the prisoner
** You are now disconnected