"Um ... do you remember when my sixteenth birthday is going to be?" she asked. She was sounding kind of dreamy."I sure do. December 21." Is that a lon... time from now?" Six months. Would you like me to celebrate with you again this year?" We'd had a really nice time on her fifteenth birthday. Low key and just as loving as it could be."Oh. That would be nice, I suppose. I was just wondering if Elaine would like company that night in Indianapolis." I snorted and Jennifer gave me a look like I was. If, when you're older, you want to do something other than Mathematics or go to a different college or university, that's fine with us. In fact, we'd probably be disappointed if you went to OSU, as there are better universities nationally and internationally for someone with your abilities."Mom reacted to one word, "Internationally?"Prof said, "Yes. As smart as Mark is, and presuming he does even better with access to these sorts of facilities, I expect there will be international competition. One of you did this. One of you who shares the same fears, the same dreams. Leoni was still expected to go to school. If she didn’t, the soldiers would return, and she couldn’t bear to think what they might do this time. She fought her way through the mass of people after the siren. Tears made her eyes shiny, and she kept wiping them with the sleeve of her smock. At school, she would feel fear, panic and sorrow rise from within her chest and try to punch its’ way out of her. She pummelled it. ‘We have more money than we know what to do with. And no one will be forced to bear or sire a child unwilling. ‘And if my foretelling holds true, Abiron and I will be asked to make our home here, in the capital. We can no longer live apart from the rest of the world.’ Pathia gave the first honest smile since they had entered the room. ‘That’s splendid! I always said that you were wasted out there in the boondocks. And honestly, Ari dear, how much influence can you hope to wield when you are.