I wasn’t sure who it was, and my half-dream state, I had forgotten that Celeste was even in the house.My hand relaxed when I heard her voice. “Are...you awake?” One of the most inane questions in the world.“Yes,” I said softly, and turned to face her. The moonlight was streaming in from my skylight, casting her in a silvery puddle of warmth. She was wearing one of my button-down shirts, and apparently nothing else. Her hair was combed out and rested on her lovely shoulders. She had a haunting. It's a hard thing for a commander, as you well know, to choose those who live and die. I know these men. Those others ... I don't."Old Rizzo knelt, face turned up toward the man on the dais before him, though the blind eyes didn't see. Rizzo saw other things than the light reflected off the world before him, and had ever since the mule kicked him when he was a young man of only thirteen years.The Hierarchy of the Church of the Mother found him extremely useful over the years, as he freely told. So I have beentold, so shall I do!All through my teenage years, my life has been building, as is expectedof a young Unworthy, to that sublime date with my needs and desires.In our Matriarchal Society, the "Flowering" is the goal and ambition ofevery young Unworthy. Our fathers have experienced it and know that itis best for their Unworthy children to accept what has to be done,serenely and joyfully. Our fathers do not usually speak directly of whatwill take place, but their manner of living. I hold my breath every day and hope nothing happens." Sorry dude." Brennan threw up his hands.It seemed as though we had another one about to be added to our floor. Wewere happy since Brennan was a pretty good guy. With his addition, thereweren't many rooms left that we weren't friends with now. Once the gamestarted, we were quiet until something happened. I just watched and didn'thave a rooting interest in the game other than I sort of wanted the teamfrom New Orleans to win after their tragedy.