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believe. She’s not aggressive.
    Like some you could name, Damia put in, referring to her own teenage experiments in finding a partner.
    But you sorted yourself out, her mother said.
    Laria is a different personality entirely ...
    For which we are grateful, said Jeff, teasing again, but his touch was fond.
    So don’t you two meddle, Damia said sharply.
    We have our ethics, Jeff said, though there are some who do not believe it.
    Father, of course you do. I’m sorry I said that. Damia was once again contrite.
    We might shift some more willing prospects to Clarf now that we have some breathing space, Jeff suggested.
    I can’t think who would be suitable, Damia said with another sigh.
    Well, this latent T-2 kinetic, the one Gollee Gren’s been training, is an attractive person, the Rowan said. I think he’s also related to Yoshuk at Sef Tower, a younger brother.
    Yoshuk’s a good man, Damia said with a lift of hope in her voice. There was a hint in her mind that she found Vanteer’s reluctance to ally her daughter an insult to the entire family.
    She’s twenty-six and a bit, Afra reminded them. Give her time to settle on someone who is compatible. And no need to remind us, Damia m’love, that you’d had four children at Laria’s age.
    I was lucky. The deep love and affection she had for Afra was a vibrant note in her voice.
    You were! the Rowan said softly.
    I was the lucky one, Afra said firmly. Worth waiting for, and let us give Laria that option too.
    Agreed, said Jeff, and on that comment he and the Rowan left the merge.
    â€œHow can Vanteer say that Laria intimidates him?” Damia asked, sliding upright and swinging her legs to the side of her couch. “Zara might, but not Laria. She’s very careful with relationships. Look how well she and Kincaid get along...” She made a face. “I so wish he was interested in women.” She gave a gusty sigh. “As a T-2, he’d be an ideal match.”
    Afra sat up too, his expression thoughtful. “Kincaid is so good with our younger ones when he visits.” Damia gave him a sharp look. But he shrugged. “Just an observation. She and Kincaid have a very good rapport.”
    â€œNot that good...”
    â€œAt least as far as it goes.”
    Then she said briskly. “If Gollee has someone to send to Clarf for training, it might even make Vanteer jealous. After all, there’ll be a lot of activity from that planet once colonization starts. Another Talent might be needed.”
    â€œKincaid’s certain that Clarf has already started provisioning colony ships, choosing specialists and color groups, ready to go the moment First Fleet—I rather like that new designation—”
    â€œSo do I,” Damia agreed, standing up and arching her back in a stretch.
    â€œThat Clarf will be overworked, sending off personnel carriers, message tubes and cargo drones. Up, up and away.” He grinned at her over such eagerness.
    â€œWell, the ’Dinis need the room to spread out in, that’s certainly true. I just hope the Hivers haven’t ruined other, perfectly good worlds as they did Talavera.” She frowned, having heard from Zara in detail about the ecological damage wreaked on that planet. She put on her coat and prepared to leave.
    Putting an affectionate arm about his wife’s shoulders, Afra guided her to the Tower steps. They met Keylarion on her way up.
    â€œOh, you haven’t gone,” their T-6 station manager said, surprised.
    â€œOh yes, we have and you haven’t seen us,” Damia said.
    â€œUnless it’s urgent,” Afra appended, giving his wife a reproving look. She made a face at him.
    â€œXexo and me are set to do some recalibrations, that’s all,” Keylarion said, and as if on cue, the T-8 engineer arrived from his section of the Tower, diagnostic equipment hanging from both arms and down his back.
    â€œAh, you’re