Most college-bound students went on campus tours during their senior year in high school. It was something that Lydia had been looking forward to: a peek into her future, a chance to make an important decision. She had gone to Crystal on her parents' insistence, not that there had been better options for her in Destiny City. But she longed for the day that she would be able to choose her own path in life, without being told what to do.

Then she became a senshi, and suddenly, another path had been chosen for her. Nights that she had once spent researching other cultures and practicing dance moves had been reallocated to patrol. She fell out of touch with most of her old friends, spending more time with her new teammates. Her parents had never understood her anyway, so there was no change there. If anything, being a magical hero had given her the freedom she felt she lacked in her daily life, so there were fewer arguments at home, at least for a while.

In her junior year, she had brought home a number of brochures from the guidance office. There were some for DCU, of course, as well as some for colleges in other states, and even a couple in other countries. All sorts of opportunities were at her fingertips, and she still felt a thrill as she leafed through the booklets and imagined herself at UC Berkeley, or Columbia, or even Oxford. There were so many possibilities!

Not that she could choose any of them. Her fate had been sealed on her fifteenth birthday. Leaving the city would be tantamount to abandoning her cause. Or worse, her teammates. That was also a possibility, technically, but not one that she would ever be willing to make into reality. No matter what her dreams had been, and still were, she couldn't make that particular sacrifice.

But even with her decision already made, she thought she could at least enjoy looking at the road not taken. Going on college tours wouldn't take her away from the city for long enough to matter. And they were an excuse for her to do some travelling, something she'd never been able to really do before, and thus had always longed for.

"But Ladybird," Iosif told her, "why look at schools you won't be attending?" He spoke in English so that Anya could also understand. "It would be a waste of time better spent on other matters."

How could he know that she planned to attend DCU? It had never come up in conversation before, and Lydia had no intention of telling him the real reason behind her decision. It took her several moments to realize that he didn't know the truth, or even guess it. He was trying to make the decision for her, just as he always had.

"But Babbas, I haven't decided where I want to go yet!" This was a lie, but it was either lie or have her choice taken from her. Even if it was the same choice she planned to make herself, she didn't want that to happen." I don't know enough about the schools that are out there to determine what's best for me. Not yet."

Iosif smiled and shook his head. "Don't worry, little lady. I know what's best for you. Just leave everything to Babbas."

Would she have to do that forever? Would she be eternally dependent on her parents, without ever bearing her own weight? That wasn't an acceptable option! "If you won't let me take tours, I'll learn from the brochures. I'll do research. And then I'll pick what's right for me!"

"Ladybird-" Iosif started, but stopped himself, exchanging a look with Anya. Then he sighed dramatically. "My little girl's growing up. Very well then. Do your research, and we'll revisit the subject in the fall."

It was only a delay to an inevitable showdown, and it left Lydia conflicted. Should she force the argument, even when the end result would be the same? Or would it be better to let him think that he'd won, and have the support of her parents a little bit longer? What did she value more? Was it freedom, or love?

When fall rolled around, she still wasn't sure. She put off applying for schools as long as she could, until even Iosif, busy though he was with work, noticed. "What's the matter, Ladybird? Destiny City University would be lucky to have a student like you. I'm sure you're worrying over nothing."

Again, she thought, he wasn't even considering any conclusion other than his own. Well, two could play at that game. "I haven't decided yet."

"Still? Darling, I think you've already made your decision. If you wanted to go someplace special, you would have had to apply already. The fact that you haven't means that you want to stay here, but you haven't accepted it. And I don't know why. Going away to college doesn't make you any more grown-up, regardless of what people may believe. And you're always welcome to stay with us, you know that. Why don't you stop worrying and go with your heart?"

Some of what he was saying was accurate. Much of it wasn't. Finally, Lydia could take no more. "My heart says I want to travel! I want to see the world, Babbas! To go to new places and meet new people. I love you and Mana, but there's more than you two out there, and I want to see it all!"

"I know you think that now, but if you knew what really went on out there-"

"I'll never know if I stay here!" Lydia tossed aside the brochure she was looking at and stood up angrily. "You have to let me go somewhere sometime! So why not now, where it'll be in a way I can learn from it?" Going to college abroad had to be safer than going on a trip by herself!

Iosif shook his head. "These places aren't as high and mighty as their glossy pictures make out, Ladybird. At least here, I can protect you from the politics that go on behind the scenes."

"You always say that! How long do you plan on keeping me here?"

"I don't keep you anywhere!" Once he realized that he was shouting, Iosif stopped and took a deep breath, a habit that Lydia had picked up from him. Once they were both calmer, he spoke again. "Despite what you may believe, I have no desire to make a prisoner of you. I only want to keep you safe. But-" He raised his hand to cut off an incoming protest. "If you want to see the world, perhaps we could plan a trip."

Lydia's eyes widened. "Really?" This was something she'd asked about before, and her requests had always been declined or pushed aside.

"You do need to see what things are like, in a safe and moderated way. A family trip is long overdue." Iosif smiled. "Maybe in the summer. We can consider it a reward for your getting accepted into Destiny City University."

So it was to be a bribe. It was exactly Babbas' style, giving her something she wanted in order for him to get his way. A new doll for attendance at a party, clothes to wear at corporate functions, bonus allowance for when she learned new vocabulary words in Greek. Lydia had tried to avoid falling victim to these tactics since she became aware of them, around the time she started high school. She was not a prize to be bought.

This case was slightly different, considering the foregone conclusion. She would end up at DCU whether she let her father win this argument or not. Was it wrong of her to accept a gift for something that wasn't true obedience? To take advantage of the situation to get something she had wanted for years?

Her father was going to get his way no matter what. It was, Lydia thought, only fair that she get hers. She grabbed his hand and shook it firmly while he was too surprised to respond. "Very well then, Babbas. You have yourself a deal."

"Excellent!" Iosif beamed and rubbed Lydia's hair affectionately. "I'm sure you won't regret your choice, Ladybird. I understand that the university here is excellent, and you'll be able to..."

He went on, and on, extolling the virtues of DCU. Lydia only half-listened. Part of her was sad to wave goodbye for good to the goals she'd had for years. Another part was ecstatic at the chance to finally see for herself what lay beyond her home town. But mostly she was conflicted. Did she make the right choice? Was this what was best for her?

Babbas claimed it was. Now, she supposed, she would find out if he was right.