“Vaken is a friend of the family.I am expecting one or more of his uncles to show up this afternoon.”
“Who are his uncles?”
“Ekron is one of them.”
Roysos grinned.“Why did you start with him?”
“Because he just walked through the door.”Diena smiled.She chuckled at the stunned look on Roysos’s face.
Vaken started walking over and then ran when Vikor walked in, his red skin and black horns unmistakable.
Diena had looked up Vaken’s relatives the previous night.Anyone hanging around her brother needed to be understood.
Her contractions were twenty minutes apart and not severe.She guessed that she had the rest of the day.From her research, the babies liked the middle of the night.
Roysos murmured, “May I compliment you on inheriting your mother’s genes?”
“Oh, yeah.They are strong.”
“So, when are you due?”
“Two weeks, but the baby should be here in the next twenty-four hours.Maybe forty-eight.Not my genes, but an excellent practice run.”
“Are the new parents excited?”
“That is what I have been told.They are running around and getting things ready.”
“What will you do when you have surrendered it?”
“Spend time with family and then make the decision as to whether I want one of my own.”
Roysos looked around.“So this is your way of getting ready for your chosen child?”
“This is my way of giving my brother and other young actives a place to play.They need structures to climb on, things to punch, and practice with sharp shooting, as well as other skills that their activations lead them to.They may also just find points of interest.”
He grinned.“There hasn’t been anything for kids in town.”
“I know.That is why it is perfect for the capitol of Aksalla.Lots of young actives here who have run here for safety, and this way, they can learn their bodies at their own pace.”
“What did you base it on?”
She grinned.“The live ranges.We will eventually have a soft version of the live range with non-lethals and parental consent.That is a year three project.”
She looked at him.“Still happy you signed on, Roysos?”
He nodded.“My kids used to dream about being old enough for the live range.This place is perfect and an excellent first start to let actives and normals play fairly.It removes the advantages that actives have and reminds the normal children that they need mechanical assistance to come close.A lot of the young ones have been saying they want to be peacekeepers.”
“That’s cute.I am glad that it is being enjoyed.”She smiled.“If I had had something like this, I might have ended up with a measurable activation.”
He smiled.“I thought you looked human.”
“Yes.I know.My burden to bear.”
The kids were returning to her table with broad grins and heavily loaded trays that Ekron and Vikor were carrying.
Alody had her own tray, and she was grinning.“Look.They lift and carry.”
Vikor looked after her and frowned.“Do I know you?”
