Conis looked pleasantly surprised. "For me?"
Rubick got up and placed the box in Conis's hands, looking down at her.
She turned her face away shyly. "Open it," Rubick said softly. "It's an ornament from where we come from."
Conis opened the box. Inside was a silver hairpin with dangling ornaments, much like Robin's, except that pairs of Angel wings hung from its tassels.
She loved it, but soon asked, "It's so beautiful. You prepared one for Robin too, didn't you?"
"She has one too, made of gold. Since you don't have silver here, I had one made for you. Let me put it on you."
Conis was kindhearted. She knew that she and Rubick had ended up together for a number of reasons. There wasn't much affection between them yet, but if they made an effort to get along, that would come with time.
Still, she felt guilty toward Robin.
Rubick carefully put the hairpin in Conis's hair, then held a mirror up for her.
"Do you like it?"
Conis was delighted. She boldly stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Rubick, and gave him a passionate kiss in return. Rubick refused to be outdone and kissed her back just as boldly.
Early the next morning, Rubick sought out the scholars who had come with the Warriors. Among them was an engine expert he had invited specifically.
He carried a copy of the steam Airship's blueprints. He had one question: could its steam engine be replaced with an internal combustion engine?
Oil was simply far better than coal-fired steam power.
The scholar took the blueprints. "I'll need to set up a research project. I can't say whether it'll work, and it'll take a few days."
"That's fine," Rubick said. "We have plenty of time. We can use the steam Airship