What was worse was that the connection they shared laid Jacob wide open and Pieter could see into his heart. So much confusion, so much loneliness. He...felt the pain of Jacob’s tears and wanted to console him but his sensibilities told him that this was something that the young man needed to work out for himself. ‘Good evening.’ ‘Hi.’ Pieter answered tersely, checking a concoction swirling in a fluted beaker. ‘Sleep well?’ When Jacob didn’t answer, the housekeeper turned to him and was shocked. I said, “Come on, let’s go.” Everyone followed me out to the garage and I started up the truck and backed out. I went back in and got my pistols and both my lever action and the 44 magnum with the scope. Barbara got her rifle with the scope and her two pistols and we opened the doors to let everyone in. I had to lift Harlou into the back seat along with Mertir and Jerrel. Marlit and Barb climbed up in the front with me. I backed up as the newbies clung to anything they could hang on to. We. “Or India?” Eliza turned to me with a kiss.“I haven’t decided yet on those countries. But I reserve the right to draw and redraw any maps at any time. Including ones that might seem settled. All of those aforementioned officials get lifetime seats in their respective legislatures, the upper house when bicameral, but otherwise when unicameral, that is. That should mollify them as severance packages. Putin also gets a lifetime seat in the Duma, in fact. So does Kasparov, which should shut him up. As I was sitting down I remembered to think about whether I was centered: nope, I wasn't. So I centered myself again, shaking my head to myself over how slippery keeping center is.#1: #2: #2: #3: #4: #3: #2: We all sensed ourselves lose center from the shock. The lump of ki and the flashes from our hand as we were yanking in back disappeared from our awareness.#2: #2 centered himself/us.#1: We all sensed, with whatever the new sense is, the lump of ki come into existence, then felt it poke.