#anywhere

The tea is served, and for a moment, there is pleasant silence

Delightful.

The childlings are less patient. Sadie finally says "One wonders as to your puzzle, Silas?"

"Such bluntness," Godfrey tuts

Sadie gives a sulk

"I was visiting my family in the Midwest recently." Sip.

"Indeed?" Demona nods "There is something to be said for the American Gothic designs it helped inspire"

"I do hope your family is at the proper state of decay?" Godfrey adds, ever a gent

"Oh, well enough, certainly."

"Though word travels fast over a prairie in winter. Naught to break the breeze, nu?"

Demona nods "Indeed. Hot tea, and genteel conversation do fit the time and place, one imagines."

"Now, imagine my surprise when I hear the neighboring county has banned not one, but two arts from use by Commoners..."

Sadie huffs, "The gall"

"Indeed," Godfrey agrees with Sadie, "it does smack of hubris. Pray, Miss Zara, do go on"

"Oh, not anything such as Sovereign... nay... the claim was that the childlings were 'making too many snow days with magic' - and she banned Kryos and Winter."

"And winter studies are near and dear to my cold little heart" A soft hiss from Silas.

"You know Winter magics, young Shiver?" Godfrey inquires, and at the boy's nod, goes on "Why such study should be encouraged not hampered."

Sadie looks impressed

"Clearly this noble was as short sighed as she was over reaching" Demona declares, "What's a few more snow days? Were the claim of such action true?"

"As far as I can tell, no."

"Which means there is, mayhaps, another motivation."

"One can speculate" Godfrey tisks, "I wonder if this rumor inspired anyone to... disagree?"

"Mm. Word is that a rogue chambermaid kidnapped several childlings ere they could be reprimanded for breaking the decree."

"It tis a mystery" Silas tuts

"Aye. And yet..."

A chuckle from Godfrey at that, but then, "And yet?"

"And yet, it is possible that there are wintersmiths who... cannot, yet, safely return home."

"Mayhaps, if there be a good fit, right of haven might be extended to them from one hold or another?" Demona says, eying the boy

"If twere the right fit, of course."

Sadie straightens up in her seat a bit at this . Hopeful, but canny not enough to let anyone see her as TOO hopeful. Unseemly thing, hope. It clings to your fingers, clothes, and heart

"A spider amidst the Great Pyrenees is... not, perhaps, ideal. Welcomed, of course, but..."

"But Great Pyrenees DO slobber so" Demona is sympathetic

Sadie blushes. Unsure what that is, but daren't say.

Silas sees this, and, being a gent, says "Yes, they are quite huge as canines go, and would wag tails through spider webs "

"Ah yes, large dogs indeed." Sadie nods primly as if she knew this all along

"Friendly, steady, loyal... but..."

"A bit loud and clumsy atimes, no doubt" Godfrey says "No, a spider needs a place less exposed, with nooks and crannies to make a proper place in"

"Precisely."

Silas says "Such a spider WOULD be productive"

Through outt his, the twelve year old boy smirks quietly "He best be."

Sadie gives her holdmate a look at that, then says "We could always use another spider here, couldn't we?" A look to Godfrey and Demona

Godfrey seems to PONDER, and Ponder some more "hmmmm... what say you, sister?"

Demona now makes a show of taking her time to ponder as well, "Welll...."

Sadie looks aghast that they might decline then reminds slyly "Right of rescue applies to spiders, and haven. And.. the spider might spread its knowledge of Midwest winters?"

"The spider would" Silas says "In fair trade, of course"

"Does that seem appropriate to you,Miss Zara?"Demona inquires

"Mm." A sip. "Haven is a right. But what is freely given, in gratitude - not obligation? That is simply good manners."

"I agree" Sadie says eagerly

"Well, we needs must maintain good manners," Godfrey tuts "Otherwise, we might bring scandal to our doors. "

"Which must, of course, be avoided at all costs" Demona hides a smile behind a sip