#anywhere

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"I have in fact been at the arch," The Countess answers Sparrow, "At one time, it was a great passage of trods that surprassed those at Firnost"

August seems surprised, eyebrows lifting.

"I'd heard that. But... Firnost is astounding. It allows me to meet my responsibilities."

"That...shouldn't be a surprise, really. That the arch held such Glamour, I mean."

"The Gateway to the West, so it was called," Sigourney nods, "the city itself. That Dream is...nearly done. Pity."

"Yes."

August offers a soft smile. "I can think of another one, just starting."

"Oh?" A sip from the countess

"The Gateway to Mars."

A smile at that, it slips from the Countess

"Mars? Space travel? I hadn't heard that! How exciting!"

August nods. "They are talking about it. Dreaming about it, really. So I've read."

"You are a dreamer yourself, Sir August," She says with a slice of pie. "I think surely if it happens the nockers will take credit"

"Still. New dreams are exciting."

"They are." Then, to the Countess. "I am not so talented as to create Dreams, but I like to think I protect those who are." He sips his tea.

A fond, proud smile at August.

"Our mission, yes."

"I wonder if this Duchy will have a tie to that dream?" the Countess says

"Always possible," Magnus says "Perhaps White Sands will have a claim to the launching, but the astroknights must come from somewhere. And then, there will be those who are inspired to write, and .." A look to his sister "Paint of distant worlds"

"Who doesn't dream of distant stars?"

She looks from one face to another, curious. "Interesting."

August looks thoughtful. "Hm. Perhaps it could." A thinking frown, distant.

"Is something wrong, August?" She licks a bit of cherry sauce off her fork.

"Hm? Oh, no. I, ah, I was just thinking about... this area having a future connection to the Dreams of Mars."

Sigourney is quiet, but listens intently

"Future connections to...wait...what do they call Mars? It has a nickname, right?"

"The Red Planet." August notices the attention. "Ah, well, only that... Well, I was looking around for schools in the area and I noticed there were several places that offered aerospace related degrees. Which caught my attention, because... well, that's not how one thinks of Missouri, often."

"Wasn't there a pilot from St. Louis?"

"Maybe there's education, and jobs, and industry to be had here. If so then... maybe the area -will- have a strong tie to that Dream."

August seems a little unsure about the pilot question.

"Across the ocean? Spirit of St. louis?"

"Probably more than one, Charles Lindbergh was born in Detroit, but the Spirit of St. Louis certainly brought attention to the city whose name it bore"

Coradel has fallen silent, thoughtful, frowning.

"Something troubles you?" Davon speaks, the boggan looking troubled, "miss?"

"I...yes." A glance to August, then looks to the others. "But it can wait."

August nudges his plate closer to Coradel, offering a bit of apple pie with caramel sauce, and then picks up his tea to sip.

She smiles at him a bit, and leans in to kiss his cheek...pausing to whisper very briefly.

He starts and looks at her, slightly wide-eyed.

A little frown, uncertain.

"And they say my House is mysterious," The countess observes

"Well, that is certainly true. As I think we know at home. It was under the light of the silver moon for a long time."

A smile. "Sorry...I should suggest bedroom activities when his reaction is less likely to have an audience." She nibbles at a bite of the apple pie."

He flushes quickly. Red.

Davon looks mildly scandalized.

August looks -entirely- scandalized.

Sigourney however focuses on Sparrow's words, "And was served well by it , though I am sure crimson is a fine color for it now. Still, it is good to know black and silver would work well in conjunction. That much is proven."

"And there are mysteries yet. The struggle doesn't end after the great battle, not forever."

"I valued my mentor, Baron Nemauses, a great deal. He taught me to have a great deal of respect for your house."

"I am glad to hear of the education provided, I regret the costs paid for it. My condolences, though they are well and truly belated."