------------------------------ Logging started for 192.168.1.82:#7thsea on Tuesday, 9 November 2021 17:57:53 Greenwich Mean Time ------------------------------ ** You have joined #7thsea ** You're now known as HH (HH) **Molly excuses herself, Inga, James and Elsie go to the parlour leaving Morgan and HH to finish their blokners* (HH) How you don't? (HH) Doin' * * Morgan watches him for a minute before sighing (Morgan) I'm struggling with something (HH) What's goin' on in yer noggin'? (Morgan) Lady Torrington has to be at the execution.... I'm trying to work out what the impact of her showing mercy and just having him beheaded, or even hanged, would be * HH takes a mouthful of blokners (HH) Tough one. What's yer gut say? * Morgan smiles (Morgan) my gut says he deserves to suffer... * HH nods (Morgan) but... I think it might show that she is not cruel, but she is firm (HH) Or does it show she still cares a bit more about protectin' her friends over her people? (Morgan) thats the sticking point * HH nods (HH) At 'Ome she wouldn't be able t' back down (Morgan) This isn't Eisen... we're used to brutality, they're not here (HH) True. She asked y' to help her decide? (Morgan) She asked my opinion (Morgan) she's scared, you know how brutal this will be... she's barely a girl * HH nods (HH) Aye. But she's a duchess. No 'iding from the dirty work * Morgan nods (Morgan) I suppose so. I still don't like it * HH watches him appraisingly (HH) Big chance fr'm how you were a few days back (HH) Change* ** You are now disconnected ------------------------------ Logging started for 192.168.1.82:#7thsea on Tuesday, 9 November 2021 18:39:53 Greenwich Mean Time ------------------------------ ** You have joined #7thsea (HH) Big change from how y' were a few days ago... (Morgan) weeks... * HH shrugs (HH) Still gonna feel merciful when it's over? (Morgan) I got what I wanted (HH) Will it be enough for y' though? (Morgan) you think it won't... (HH) I'm jus' thinking if we lose Elsie, an' yer watching Molly, Varick and James at her graveside, you might not be so sanguine (Morgan) what more can I do? (HH) Howdya mean? (Morgan) Nothing I do will influence that. My boiling his blood won't bring her any more time, or any satisfaction. What good would it do? (HH) Spose not. Think mebbie its them you should be asking? (Morgan) I dont want to put it on them * HH nods (HH) Got any local contacts? Realistic'ly if you dont need him to suffer, the main thing is 'ow will the people take it (Morgan) It'd mean hauling ass back into town (HH) Like yer gonna be able t' sleep brooding about this any'ow. Could be there by ten. Back by midnight. * Morgan sighs (Morgan) I suppose I'd best tell Molly then (Morgan) I really should find out what Elsie wants... * HH finishes his blokners "I'll let Inga know I won't be here to repeat my birthday surprise an' get th' horses ready" (Morgan) No, you don't need to go * HH looks at him (HH) Y'd do it for me (Morgan) of course I would (HH) There y'go then * HH gets up, going through to the parlour to find Inga * Morgan sighs, going to find Elsie (HH) **She is in the parlour with Inga and James. They're laughing at James trying to knit a little woolen hat** (Morgan) Elsie... I need to talk to you ** You're now known as Elsie (Elsie) In private? (Morgan) thats up to you... its about Dau (Elsie) I don't mind the others hearing * Morgan nods (Morgan) How would you feel is Dau's punishment was changed to just hanging, or beheading? (Elsie) As long as other girls are safe from him, I dont care. Never thought he'd see justice, not for raping a girl like me * Morgan looks at James (Morgan) would you hold her close and tell her how special she is? It'd be unseemly for me to do it (Elsie) **He looks puts down the knitting and wraps his arm around her, talking quietly in her ear. She smiles (Elsie) I'm alright. I didn't mean like me as a person, just like a working girl in general. I know I didn't deserve it. (Elsie) **James stands beside her, arm around her waist (Morgan) I know what you meant. If you're sure about Dau, I'm going to go find out how the townsfolk would react * Elsie tilts her head towards upstairs (Elsie) What about Molly? Might have been my body, but I dont think she's unaffected too (Morgan) oh, I'm going to ask her first, dont you worry * Elsie nods (Elsie) You could ask the staff what they think? * Morgan nods (Morgan) good idea (Elsie) **HH looks at Morgan** why didn' I think of that? (Morgan) because god made you so good looking to make up lacking in the thinking department (Elsie) HH: *he nods* explains how yer so smart * Morgan nods, heading for the stairs ** You're now known as Molly * Molly is just drying and packing away the mirror when he gets there. She gives him a smile (Molly) No sign of my father tonight. Apparently there were some cross words in Sudlachenburg (Morgan) oh? (Molly) Your Father thought mine might be visiting a woman with all these frequent visits to Innesbruck, so told him that would be unacceptable. My father, predictably, was unhappy about this, and words were had. The servants overheard, and our mothers were notified *she bites her lip, trying not to laugh* (Morgan) and now they've both been scolded like children? * Molly nods (Molly) Our Fathers were faced with my mother's scolding and your mother's disappointment in them * Morgan winces (Molly) Unsurprisingly, the situation is now resolved, but my father is staying in Sudlachenburg * Morgan nods, sighing (Morgan) oh well (Molly) I am wondering whether it would be better for me to cultivate my scolding or expressing disapointment skills... (Morgan) Neither, thank you * Molly giggles "how else could I get you to serve my wishes?" (Morgan) ask. Which is something I need to do, ask you something * Molly sits on the bed (Molly) What is it, my love? (Morgan) I want to know how you'd feel about Dau's sentence being changed slightly * Molly frowns slightly (Molly) How? (Morgan) beheading or hanging (Molly) Has the judge reconsidered? * Molly watches him, still frowning (Morgan) Not at all... Catherine is worried about it, about how she's going to deal with seeing it. I'm wondering if it'll seem a bit cruel for her (Molly) Then should she not have given this command to the judge beforehand? * Morgan nods (Morgan) I don't think it'd really sunk in (Molly) And what thinks you? (Morgan) I'm trying not to influence it... it doesn't affect me the way it affects Elsie, you... * Molly watches him a moment (Molly) And you will want my assessment, without it influenced by what I think you will want? * Morgan nods (Morgan) I want to know what _you_ want * Molly shrugs (Molly) What I want does not matter. She cannot soften on this (Morgan) You think the people will see it that she is letting him off lightly because of their friendship... (Molly) It is politically naive. What will she do next time the judge sentences someone? Will she undermine him and soften the sentence? How do the people trust the judges? Will she soften every one, or will she only intervene when it suits, showing there is no fairness, only favouritism? How can they trust that she wants to do the right thing when she shies away from doing the right thing? (Morgan) You do not think it will make her seem cold and cruel? (Molly) If it was a local, _maybe_. But one reason that her townsfolk are unhappy is because she has allowed her guests to treat them with contempt, and to violate one of them in unfathomable ways. The judge has ruled. Anything where she softens from that harms her. Is it better that she seems like a liar or weak? * Morgan nods (Molly) One way or another, people will not forget the execution. The politically astute choice is for Catherine to show that justice here is not subject to her feelings or friendship. But that is only my opinion. It is similar to how Faulk could have been more lenient with Alarice on the matter of petty treason, but _she_ was the wrong criminal to start that leniency with * Morgan nods (Morgan) you are correct... I had hoped to spare her what she will have to endure * Molly smiles slightly (Molly) She is very young to endure it. Who know how it may affect her or colour her future choices. Perhaps though, she could soften and make the argument that she is showing mercy because that is how things should be in her lands. She shows mercy to them, they show mercy to each other. She could suggest that cruelty does little to those being executed, but lives on in the hearts and minds of those who remain... (Morgan) that goes entirely against what you have just argued (Molly) It does. I am trying to help you look at all the facets (Morgan) which do you believe... (Molly) Both have merit. If I were her, I would weigh up both carefully (Morgan) I think you're probably right about him being the wrong person to show mercy to... given what he has done... * Molly nods (Molly) If you can show mercy when a young woman is so badly violated and harmed, to the point of your actions taking her life, it does rather imply you will show mercy of theft, assault, other cases of rape or murder... how firm a deterrent is justice if it can be soften for such an abomination? * Morgan nods (Morgan) Can you do anything for her? (Molly) Catherine? * Morgan nods (Morgan) to calm her, perhaps, settle her stomach? (Molly) You could use the balm. I can make an anti-emetic tincture (Molly) Or did you mean something more interesting? *she smiles* (Morgan) I don't want her numb to what is happening... just better able to cope with it (Molly) The balm and the tincture them. Anything else would probably require me being at the execution myself (Morgan) Not going to happen * Morgan sighs (Molly) You would forbid me? (Morgan) did you want to be there? (Molly) I was not planning to be, but... do you need me with you? * Morgan shakes his head (Morgan) I will be there for Lady Torrington, not myself * Molly looks surprised (Molly) But you wanted this... (Morgan) I wanted to gut him... I wanted him to suffer... but above all else, I do not want to be the monster they believe me to be (Molly) _who_ believes you to be? (Morgan) The whole town is scared of me... Dau and deBurgh call me a monster, a bully... (Molly) The town being scared of you kept Catherine safe, and kept them from being here throwing themselves at dragons and jumping into portals. It served a purpose. Kai and Rebecca... they have _always_ aimed to get under the skin of others and hurt them. Think of how they were with me last winter, how they made me question myself * Molly holds out her hand to him * Morgan takes them * Molly kisses his knuckles (Molly) You are not a monster, far from it. You are a good, just man, who loves so deeply and so vastly. You are a man who knows that you cannot have power without responsibility, because that would simply be tyranny. * Morgan sighs (Morgan) maybe (Molly) No. Look at me. You trust my judgement? * Morgan nods (Molly) Then trust me. * Morgan nods (Morgan) alright * Molly smiles (Molly) Good. She needs to do what the judge has ruled. I will submit to your desire for me to stay here. (Morgan) Aside from being here in case Elsie... I don't want you seeing that * Molly nods (Molly) I would fare better than Catherine I suspect (Morgan) I daresay.... but she has to see it.. you do not * Molly looks upat him (Molly) You do not need to persuade me, my love, I am acceeding to your wishes * Morgan nods (Molly) Besides, I will not give him the satisfaction of having me there in his last moments. Whatever disturbing obsession he has with me, I will not feed it. (Morgan) He was telling me I am the wrong man for you... I will get you killed... * Molly rolls her eyes (Molly) He's very clever, but absolutely wrong. (Morgan) I told him the man he knew was wrong for you... but I am not that man * Molly frowns slightly (Molly) We must agree to disagree I think (Morgan) Honestly? The man I was when you met me... when he met me... * Molly shrugs, slightly evasively * Morgan narrows his eyes (Morgan) you know I'm too good to miss that... (Molly) You were having a hard time, you were not in a place where you could let me in. That does not mean you were wrong for me, that we were a bad fit. * Molly frowns, it's more like hurt and discomfort than crossness * Morgan nods slowly (Morgan) that makes sense... * Molly nods * Morgan lifts her hand, kissing it (Molly) We have seen other paths in dreams, easy paths. You were never wrong for me. You do not only fit me because you have been through it all. **she's still frowning* (Morgan) No, I know... * Molly nods (Molly) I do appreciate you have worked so hard to find yourself again and to heal, and I am immensely proud of you for how you have endured and overcome * Morgan watches her (Morgan) but... (Molly) But it makes me sad that you might feel I could not have made you happy any other way (Morgan) No, blossom... just that I was too harsh, too mean spirited to be right for you... at the time... (Molly) You were suffering, my love. It is understandable * Morgan nods (Molly) And by the time he met you, you had already made wonderful progress. He was trying to hurt you, to make you doubt yourself, and doubt us. * Morgan nods * Molly looks up at him "You _are_ the right man for me. I only hope that _I_ am the right woman for _you_" (Morgan) oh you are (Molly) I am trying to be, to feel less like I am too forthright, not sweet and gentle enough (Morgan) I've noticed (Molly) It isn't ea-... **there's a knock on the bedroom door** (Morgan) come in HeinzHarold * Molly whispers "how did you know?" (Molly) HH: No bubbies on show, are there? (Morgan) We were going to go to town to get the view of the locals about the punishment... he was coming with me... (Morgan) No, no bubbies on show (Molly) Oh, I should let you go! *she loosens her grip as HH comes in* (Morgan) No, I think you're right (Molly) HH: Need t' know the plan, yer majesty (Morgan) we're not going. Molly has put it succinctly that if Lady Torrington overrules the judges, the people won't trust her, particularly given the horror of what he did... (Molly) HH: *he nods* alright * Molly looks at her husband "Do you need to see her now?" (Morgan) No, I didn't tell her I'd find out... its been bothering me since she asked, thats all * Molly nods (Molly) HH: Y' coming to play cards then, or is it two pair again? * Morgan looks at Molly (Morgan) shall we? (Molly) If you wish, my love (Morgan) oh, before we do... HeinzHarold, give us a moment please (Molly) **Heinzharold leaves, shutting the door* * Morgan looks back at Molly (Morgan) I don't think Claudia wants him knowing this yet... she gave me a birthday present.... * Molly looks confused (Molly) Alright...? (Morgan) cushions with roses, a tea set for two with roses on them... all very feminine things, which she's never done before. She figured something pointy would make me happy, but having things you like there would make you happy which would make me happier still... * Molly smiles warmly (Molly) That is very thoughtful and sweet * Morgan nods (Morgan) I was very very touched * Molly smiles (Molly) I am glad. I look forward to spending time on it with you * Morgan nods (Morgan) shall we go and beat them at cards? * Molly nods (Molly) I think so. Will you be taking one of the mirrors tomorrow? (Morgan) what for? (Molly) Because we cannot communicate that far * Morgan nods (Morgan) if you wish me to (Molly) I do not mind, my love. I will be perfectly fine here without you, at least until bed time (Morgan) I have no intention of being gone that long (Molly) I am glad. I would like to put this whole business behind us and be back to spending more time together * Morgan nods (Morgan) as would I * Molly stands up, watching him a moment with a smile (Molly) I rather thought when you sent Heinzharold out you might have been wanting something from me, mon petit chou (Morgan) Not _right_ now... (Molly) Oh? I thought it might be something you could not ask for in polite company... *she is clearly teasing him* (Morgan) Later, maybe... (Molly) Something hot...*she moves a little closer, smiling mischievously* (Morgan) behave yourself young lady (Molly) Something salty... *she raises her eyebrows* (Molly) Like Chicken Porridge! **she makes a dash for the door with a giggle* * Morgan shakes his head, muttering * Molly opens the door, still giggling to herself as she makes quick work of getting to the parlour and sitting beside Heinzharold with an expression of sweet innocence watching Morgan come in * Morgan plonks himself into a chair (Molly) HH: *he looks at Morgan* Y' getting the drinks then? * Morgan stands back up, getting the drinks and coffee for himself, setting them on the table (Molly) **the games begin. They all do fairly well but HH and Morgan are obviously better. Molly doesnt seem very focused, and much of the time the women are chatting rather than concentrating (Molly) **its the three of them that decide they are going to bed. Despite the look that Inga gives HH implying she'll be waiting, he offers to help Morgan clear up, just the two of them cleaning glasses ** You're now known as HH (HH) Happy with tha'? (Morgan) I suppose so (HH) Y' wanted to ease her Grace's mind? (Morgan) I wanted to protect her from it... (HH) Not gonna be east (HH) Easy* * Morgan shakes his head (Morgan) I'm going to give her something to help her not be sick and make her have some of the balm... (HH) She ever executed anyone b'fore? * Morgan shakes his head (Morgan) she's seen people die... but she's never given the order... * HH nods (HH) Diff'rent when you choose it * Morgan nods (HH) Molly did that on the way to Sudlachenburg, Inga says * Morgan nods (Morgan) ran a bandit through * HH nods (HH) How did she handle it? (Morgan) alright eventually. * HH nods (HH) I was th' other way round. Busy with th'next and the next. Didn't hit me til battle was over an' everyone was drinking round the fire. Then I couldn't stop thinkin' how there were men left out their in the dark who'd never drink again b'cause of me. * Morgan nods (Morgan) aye (Morgan) I was about the same (HH) First night I cried on bubbies that weren't my Ma's. Snot bubbles an' all. * Morgan nods (Morgan) Think it took me a couple of days before that hit (HH) Camp commander's wife was older, an' she knew to watch out for the lads like me, knew we'd lose our shit left t' our own devices. She came an' found me staring into space. * Morgan nods * HH leans over a bit (HH) 'Appen to know even Claudia cried th' first time * Morgan nods (Morgan) she's not so cold as she likes to make out * HH nods (HH) Never get over seein' her cry after the fire when she got back 'ome. Fuckin' hell that was hard to see. (Morgan) I heard her crying outside my door when I thought that dream was real... * HH looks shocked (Morgan) Don't mention it to her... (HH) Obviously. Shook us up bad. * Morgan nods * HH finishes the washing, stretching (HH) On a better note, my lil darlin says I shouldn' tell y' about the birthday surprise, b'cause she got th' impression her wife hasn't even told you about it yet (Morgan) oh really... (HH) But there's no way you'da been so gleeful about keepin' it a secret if ya didn't know (Morgan) true, true * HH grins (HH) If I hadn' already married her I would now! * Morgan nods (Morgan) I'm not terribly surprised by that (HH) If Theus comes looking for me when I'm dead b'cause he can't find me soul, blame my wife * Morgan laughs (HH) If y' can think of a way t' thank your wife for me that doesn't land us both in trouble, please do. Never even heard of doin' that, and I've not been Saint Heinzharold of Puritytown in that regard! (Morgan) I'll see what I can do (HH) Speakin' of which, I'm going to bed to see what _I_ can do. Got five more nights o' singing yet * Morgan chuckles (Morgan) night man * HH goes out of the front door whistling to himself * Morgan gets finished up before putting the candles out and going to his room ** You are now disconnected (Connection timed out)