"He hit a canvas awning on the way down, second story, I think. Broke his fall, for sure, and his leg. But thank God he's here, the stupid albino -- b...ast..." Enough of that," Barely said, "Anyway, it's good to see you again, Tony. What brings you around here anyway?" Well, I did have a job offer for you, but seeing's how you're laid up and all, I guess..." He can use the money," Essence said, giving Barely's shoulder a sharp poke."Yeah, I surely can use the money," Barely said. "What do you. ..Oliver and Emmi had spent more time talking then studying in the library,getting the occasional dirty look from someone head deep into theirtextbooks. They tried their best to stay as quiet as possible but thenone of them would make a joke and they'd instantly start giggling again.Before they got into too much trouble, they quickly left the library. Thetwo hung out for a bit longer before they both parted ways for the day,Emmi gave Oliver a big hug, or as much as her pregnant stomach. Finally I went through a partial list of my new weapons to sway the way the Romans thought. I pointed out that no Romans would have to die this way.To hammer home a point I said, "Romans have had to guard the empire because they made the laws. I want everybody in the empire to have a say in how laws are made and used. If that happens, all men will fight for those laws when the invaders come. Romans will not have to fight alone or pay for others to fight for them."The gods looked into the future. So, I stopped playing. ‘Look, Renee,’ said I, turning to regard her more fully. ‘You know how you’ve said in the past that to an extent people can’t help their nature? Or at least shouldn’t have to or be pressured to, if they don’t want to?’ She just looked at me, not answering, but listening, waiting for the punch line. I could tell by the square of her little shoulders she was just bristling to argue whatever point I was building up to. But, I had her attention, so I went on. ‘Well, for some.