inherit. Iâve told Mother when I do take it over, itâll be from Faroff, but she pretends not to hear me. When it happens, sheâll be surprised to learn that I mean it. If you really want to go off world, you should be studying something that will help you do it.â
He hit a nerve with that one. My innards went into the familiar spasm that was half embarrassment, half fear. I forced myself not to sound whiny. âI know that, Witt. Paul is only twenty, but heâs doing advanced-level language studies, specializing in ET lexicologyâ¦â
âAnd taking personal credit, no doubt, for having inherited his fatherâs talent for languages,â Witt said in his topstory, very superior voice.
âYes, thatâs true. He does have the talent, however, so it doesnât really matter where he got it, for I donât have the talent despite having Delis as my father, too. Paul will be a linguist, and linguists are in demand.â
He nodded. âEvery time we encounter a new race we need squads of new translators.â
I went on, âTaddeus is more modest about inherited talent, but he got Mattyâs artistic skills, and I didnât, even though she was also my motherâ¦â
âHe could have inherited from Joramâ¦â
âHe could, yes, or from both of them. Whichever, heâs been exhibiting since he was twelve, and his future as Joram IV is all mapped out. By the time they were halfway through general schooling, both of them knew exactly what they wanted to do, and I havenât a clue. I got all the way through general schooling without any idea what to do next. Iâve worked with Jon at the kennel since I was eight. Iâve taken vet courses and animal behavior and nutrition courses. Iâve become more and more able to do things that are needed less and less, things that are either illegal or impossible.â
He lowered his voice. âHow about the ark planets?â
I whispered, âAt the shelters, they say arkists donât take anyone under fifty years old.â
âThey donât?â He sounded both surprised and pleased, which I couldnât fathom.
I said, still in a whisper, âThe iggy-huffo terrorists have sworn to wipe out animals and the people who care for them on any ark world they can find. Since it could possibly happen, the arkists only take mature people who are willing to risk losing their livesâ¦â I stopped for a moment as I tried to sort my confusion into sensible words. âSo, I ask myself, why go on to school? To learn what? With this sanctuary thing happening, Iâm sure Iâll have a lot to do, but only for a while. Once itâs over, if I want to go off world, Iâll have to settle for doing something not very interesting.â
âYou might settle for joining me in a cohabitation liaison, instead.â
It came completely without warning. I thought he was joking. I started to laugh, but stopped when I saw the intent, totally focused expression on his face, as though he had been working toward this remark all evening. I said doubtfully, âYou donât mean that, Witt.â
He sat back, smiling. âOh, yes. I do very much mean that. We get on very well together. People our age needâ¦companions. Even if I havenât saidâ¦well, Iâve thought about it. We could make it work, Jewel. Iâve already taken a single apartment in the University Tower. With my income from the family trust, we can get along until weâre ready to go off world.â
âIâll bet your mother had a fit about your moving out.â
He shrugged. âWell, yes, but itâs customary for students to live there, and Father told her to quit fussing about it. Many of the students are liaisedâ¦â
That surprised me, and I said so.
âNo concs in the University Tower,â he said. âAs I said, people our age need companionship.â
âMy
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