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Post by Meadowlark on Mar 8, 2011 10:25:55 GMT -8
The Zimmerman family was seated around the dinner table, a special dinner to celebrate the twins' sixteenth birthday. Mr. Zimmerman glanced between his two kits. "Well, Coricopat, have you considered what you're doing once you graduate?"
The teen's ears flickered as he looked toward his father. "Not really, sir. I've still got a couple of years."
"You ought to start considering now so that we can be sure to have the funds for your college as you need them."
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Post by amanika on Mar 8, 2011 10:31:53 GMT -8
Tantomile had been enjoying her dessert, happy, for the moment to let the conversation wash over her, but she glanced up when her brother was addressed, curious about his answers.
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Post by Meadowlark on Mar 8, 2011 10:33:56 GMT -8
"I...well, I've thought about law school, but I really don't know yet."
"Law's a good choice.Gives you a foot in the door for many other things as well. Lucrative, capable of supporting a family."
Cor's ears flickered at that again, but he nodded. "I don't know otherwise."
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Post by amanika on Mar 8, 2011 10:46:30 GMT -8
Tantomile turned to smile at her twin, he'd mentioned the law school idea a few times to her when they'd talked about this together. "I think it'd be perfect for you Cori. I've told you before, you've got a talent for that kind of thing."
She laughed, "I wish I knew what I want to study..." she'd mentioned a few things to her brother in the past, biology maybe, or something in that vein, though she knew it wasn't quite what she wanted. She sighed but shook her head teasingly at her brother, "you're lucky you get to study anything you like. I've got to find out what is actually open to me."
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Post by Meadowlark on Mar 8, 2011 10:52:51 GMT -8
Their father looked down the table to where their mother was seated. "We're not certain we'll have the funds to send you as well, Tantomile."
Cori looked from his sister to his father, and back, in shock, but didn't say anything.
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Post by amanika on Mar 8, 2011 11:02:24 GMT -8
Tantomile put her fork down rather abruptly, suddenly she didn't feel much like finishing her dessert. She glanced first at her parents and then at her brother, but didn't meet any of their eyes. She couldn't understand it, she was old enough to know that college was expensive, and felt momentarily guilty for assuming, but she and Cori had always shared everything the same. Also a little voice was making itsself known in her head, asking, if her parents could only afford to send one of them, why did they automatically decide it was Cori who got that opportunity. This was followed by another pang of guilt, she knew it wasn't her brother's fault. All the same, it wasn't hers either. "It's because he's a tom isn't it?" she asked slowly, "If only one of us gets to go the male automatically wins." she threw a slightly apologetic glance at her brother as she spoke, she wanted him to know she had to say something, but that she didn't blame him for this.
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Post by Meadowlark on Mar 8, 2011 11:05:03 GMT -8
Cori's ears flicked back at that, the look of hurt that crossed his features was brief but present.
Her father looked at her for a long moment. "He's the one who is expected to provide for a family. You are expected to take care of one. You haven't any need of college, Tantomile."
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Post by amanika on Mar 8, 2011 21:10:07 GMT -8
Again, Tantomile was silent for a moment as her father's words sunk in. She shook her head slowly, "This has nothing to do with the money, does it?"
"Tantomile," her mother murmured, "don't make a scene."
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Post by Meadowlark on Mar 8, 2011 21:12:08 GMT -8
Cori glanced between his parents, but, besides his ears flicking back and his tail coiling around the leg of his chair, he didn't react.
"I did not say that." Their father replied.
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Post by amanika on Mar 8, 2011 21:25:38 GMT -8
Tantomile rose from her seat, "You didn't have to."
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Post by Meadowlark on Mar 8, 2011 21:28:39 GMT -8
Cori glanced at his sister, silently asking for her to stay.
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Post by amanika on Mar 8, 2011 21:38:13 GMT -8
Tantomile caught her brother's glance, and swallowing, sat back down. Under the table though, she reached for his paw, needing some reassurance. She said nothing, having no idea what she could say and knowing most of it would likely to hurt Coricopat didn't help.
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Post by Meadowlark on Mar 8, 2011 21:42:50 GMT -8
He swallowed slightly, but took her paw. The rest of the meal passed in silence.
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Post by amanika on Mar 8, 2011 21:49:15 GMT -8
Almost as soon as the last dish had been cleared off the table, Tantomile excused herself quietly, muttering something about having eaten too much and needing to lie down.
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Post by Meadowlark on Mar 8, 2011 21:51:15 GMT -8
Cori waited a few moments longer before exiting as well, following his sister.
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