{"id":241,"date":"2021-08-30T12:59:50","date_gmt":"2021-08-30T16:59:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=241"},"modified":"2021-09-06T13:09:58","modified_gmt":"2021-09-06T17:09:58","slug":"chapter-19","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 019: Where Is It?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"290\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg\" alt=\"Etherno\" class=\"wp-image-52\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm.jpg 768w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Etherno_logo-sm-300x113.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-heading\"><strong>Chapter 19:<\/strong> Where Is It?<\/h2>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin frowned at the sunlight streaming through the window of the enclosed porch. He\u2019d been staring out into the city for about a half an hour now and still had no clue where the Natas might be building the gate. Not that he expected to see a giant banner or anything, but it\u2019d be convenient if some sort of clue would present itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The door opened. Onin turned around to see Kasai waving at him. He smiled at the sight of her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMind if I join you?\u201d Kasai paused halfway through the doorway. \u201cI can leave if I\u2019m bothering you, though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo, you never bother me.\u201d Onin felt his face grow warmer. \u201cI, uh. I was looking for signs of the Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai came over to stand next to him. \u201cFind any?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo.\u201d Onin scratched the back of his neck. \u201cI was thinking about sending a servitor or two out to look, but I don\u2019t know where to start.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They stood in silence staring out the windows. Onin took a half-step closer to Kasai. She stood up a little straighter and looked away, but she didn\u2019t move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, I forgot why I was looking for you.\u201d Kasai turned to face him. \u201cUm, Amaryllis said Ryogin wanted to see me. Something about checking my DNA.\u201d She glanced down at her feet. \u201cI, uh, think I\u2019d feel more comfortable if you came with me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThanks!\u201d Kasai took his hand and pulled him out the door. \u201cOh, I called Professor Jekao to check how things are going at ABG.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin stopped mid-stride and his eyes widened. \u201cI forgot all about school. We haven\u2019t been kicked out for skipping, have we?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo.\u201d Kasai cocked her head to the side. \u201cABG is still shutdown due to the funding issues, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh.\u201d Onin let out a large breath. \u201cI forgot about that. Did he say if that\u2019s cleared up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, the Professor let on that things are moving forward. He says that we should have at least few more weeks before anything certain is decided. Oh\u2014\u201d Kasai pulled out her phone and tapped at it. \u201cHe also sent us some homework. I just sent it to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDon\u2019t tell Tannin.\u201d Onin chuckled. Tannin would probably rant at just the suggestion of doing work outside the classroom. Onin made a mental note to check it later. The first priority was finding the Natas, but he wanted to ensure he was ready when classes did start back up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin and Amaryllis were waiting for them in Ryogin\u2019s office. A gray metal platform a meter in diameter stood in the middle of the room. A steel arm about seven feet high was attached to the back of the platform. A metal hoop with an inner diameter the same as the platform hung parallel to the floor from the top of the arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai glanced at it, hugged herself, and took a step closer to Onin. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. Amaryllis glanced over at her and flicked her right ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s just a genetic scanner.\u201d She walked over and took Kasai\u2019s other hand. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t hurt. It just lights up. You won\u2019t feel a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2019ve been through it?\u201d Onin pointed at the scanner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYup.\u201d Amaryllis smiled. \u201cJust after Ryogin-sama rescued me. Back then I was rather clumsy, and constantly getting sick. Ryogin-sama suspected there might be issues with my genome, what with being a hybrid and all. So, he worked with several other departments here at the University of Caradan to come up with plans for this. He created it with his artificer gift and they were able to come up with an RNA strand to re-sequence the defective parts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis leaned out and looked over at Ryogin. \u201cDid I get that right, Ryogin-sama?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cClose enough.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin started to laugh then covered his mouth with his hand and turned it into a cough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis smiled, turned to Kasai, and gestured to the platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh, okay.\u201d Kasai squeezed Onin\u2019s hand and stepped up onto it. \u201cSo, do I just stand here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYup.\u201d Ryogin typed a sequence into the computer on his desk. \u201cJust stand still. That metal ring is going to glow blue, then lower down to the floor, then we\u2019ll be done.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin walked over to stand behind Ryogin. The computer screen was black with a single green word, \u201cReady:\u201d. Ryogin typed in \u201cscan\u201d followed by a series of letters and numbers, then he pressed the enter key.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin turned around. The inside of the metal ring lit up with a soft blue glow, and it started to descend. Kasai looked up at then glanced over at Onin. He gave her a thumbs up. Kasai took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and stared straight ahead. The ring lowered at a steady pace until it rested at the bottom of the platform. Then it stopped and the light turned off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAll done.\u201d Ryogin swiveled in his chair. \u201cIt\u2019ll take about a day to analyze the results. I\u2019ll let you know what we find.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin offered Kasai a hand. She took it and stepped off the platform. He felt his face heat when she didn\u2019t release his grasp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh\u2014\u201d Onin cleared his throat. \u201cDo you still have that map of possible Natas sites?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes.\u201d Ryogin frowned. \u201cI don\u2019t have a medical degree, but shouldn\u2019t you take it easy with that leg for another day or so?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s doing better.\u201d Onin lifted his left leg and wiggled it. There was still a bit of a sore feeling, but it wasn\u2019t throbbing anymore. \u201cBut I was thinking about sending servitors out to scout first.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAh, good decision.\u201d Ryogin rummaged around in the pile of papers, gizmos, and doohickeys that littered the top of his desk. \u201cHere we are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin handed Onin a rolled up piece of paper. Onin unrolled the sheet, Kasai and Amaryllis crowding him to look over either shoulder. The map had one or two more dots added to it since Onin had seen it the other day. Each dot also had a short description next to it. Most of them weren\u2019t terribly helpful, listing a number of Natas or prisoners spotted, or the type of building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNot much to go on here.\u201d Onin handed the map back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo.\u201d Ryogin shook his head. \u201cMost of this we got from interviewing the freed prisoners, and they had other things to worry about than investigating the Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Onin shuddered. Those people must have gone through a lot. \u201cI\u2019ll send a few infrared servitors out to scout these locations. Maybe they\u2019ll find something.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He turned to leave, and Amaryllis coughed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, that\u2019s right.\u201d Ryogin stood and bowed to Onin and Kasai. \u201cCould I ask you a personal favor?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin looked over at Kasai. She blinked a few times, but didn\u2019t say anything. \u201cWell, you can ask&#8230;\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThank you. I would greatly appreciate it if the two of you would accompany Amaryllis and I to dinner tonight. I\u2019ve been promising her for a while, but it\u2019d be more proper if the two of us had some company.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin turned his head to face Kasai. She blushed and looked down at her feet, but she didn\u2019t let go of his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m not going to force you to do anything, but I\u2019d like to go if you would,\u201d Onin whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cExcellent.\u201d Ryogin bowed to them. \u201cI\u2019ll see you at dinner, then.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin tied his tie for the third time and frowned at the mirror. Ryogin had sent over formal attire for him to wear, and the sizing was perfect. Except the darn tie kept coming out too short or too long. He sighed and undid it yet again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A knock sounded at the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCome in!\u201d Onin yelled over his shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The door opened and Kasai stepped into the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh.\u201d She paused and took a half-step backward. \u201cI didn\u2019t realize you weren\u2019t done changing. I\u2019ll come back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo, come on in.\u201d Onin lined the smaller end of his tie up with the top of his belt. \u201cI\u2019m ready, except for this tie.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin frowned at the tie. It still didn\u2019t look quite right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019ll be just a moment\u2014\u201d Onin turned around and forgot what he was going to say. Kasai wore a green off-the-shoulder dress that hugged her curves and fell to ankle length. Her auburn hair looked closer to red in the sunlight coming from the windows, and it cascaded down over her right shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWow.\u201d Onin cleared his throat and ducked his head. \u201cI mean, you look beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThanks, I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, are you dressed yet?\u201d Tannin, along with Saija, squeezed past Kasai and into the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin sighed. Tannin had the worst timing. Hopefully he wouldn\u2019t decide tonight sounded like a party and try to tag along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey!\u201d Tannin stopped in the middle of the room and pointed at Onin. \u201cWhen I left ten minutes ago you were still wrestling with that thing. Gimme.\u201d Tannin grabbed Onin\u2019s tie and started to fidget with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo why are you two here?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe don\u2019t have social lives of our own.\u201d Saija shrugged, then dropped into a chair. \u201cSo we\u2019re living vicariously through you two.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah, my little Onin, all grown up and going on a date, who would\u2019ve thought?\u201d Tannin yanked at Onin\u2019s tie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cKnock it off.\u201d Onin smacked the back of Tannin\u2019s head. \u201cYou\u2019re just bored cause you don\u2019t have a party to go to.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin looked in the mirror. The tie was perfect. He shot a sideways glance at Tannin, who held a hand up to his chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat hurts; it really does.\u201d Tannin fell over backwards onto his bed. \u201cI\u2019ll just die here now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhatever.\u201d Onin rolled his eyes. \u201cI\u2019ll revive you when we get back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He offered his elbow to Kasai and left.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"75\" height=\"50\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/dragon.png\" alt=\"dragon\" class=\"wp-image-41\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin stepped out of the hover limo and gave Kasai a hand. Amaryllis and Ryogin climbed out after him. Onin stared up at the restaurant and tried to remember not to gawk. The place was three stories tall and covered with real marble. Marble columns lined the outside. Onin did a double-take. A red carpet covered the sidewalk that led into the restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWow.\u201d Kasai looked around and took a step closer to Onin. \u201cEverybody\u2019s wearing suits and ties. I was worried I\u2019d be overdressed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Onin nodded. \u201cFrom where I stand, I can\u2019t believe my eyes. I think this might be a little out of my price range.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it. It\u2019s my treat,\u201d Ryogin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin looked at the building, then back to Ryogin. \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes.\u201d Ryogin took Amaryllis\u2019 hand. \u201cI\u2019ve been promising Amaryllis a proper date for a while now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis leaned closer to Onin and Kasai. \u201cMy eighteenth birthday isn\u2019t until next week, and Ryogin-sama is very proper and respectful toward me.\u201d She flattened her left ear against her head. She lowered her voice. \u201cMaybe a little too proper. He says we can\u2019t go on a date alone until my birthday.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai smiled and took Amaryllis\u2019 right hand in her left. Onin smiled at her. Kasai squeezed his hand, and they walked together into the restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin gave his name to the maitre d\u2019, who led them to their table. It wasn\u2019t the nicest table, right next to the kitchen, but still better than Onin could afford on his own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m sorry about the seating.\u201d Ryogin rubbed the back of his neck and pulled a chair out for Amaryllis. \u201cIt was the best I could get on fairly short notice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin watched Ryogin and jumped forward to get Kasai\u2019s chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo, this is great.\u201d Kasai smiled up at Onin as she sat. \u201cWe can watch them cook from here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAnd what really matters is the company.\u201d Amaryllis turned and beamed at Ryogin, who blushed and nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin browsed the menu. Most of the stuff on it he\u2019d never heard of. He looked across the table to Ryogin. \u201cIs there anything you\u2019d recommend?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm. Everything\u2019s good here.\u201d Ryogin flipped through the menu. \u201cI\u2019m particularly fond of the pan-fried fish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019m getting saganaki as an appetizer.\u201d Amaryllis turned her menu around and pointed to an item. \u201cIt\u2019s basically fried cheese and seasoning, it\u2019s delicious!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat looks good.\u201d Kasai tucked her hair behind her ear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The light reflected the red in her hair, and Onin forgot about the menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The waiter came and took their order. Everyone decided to get the fish and share a few orders of saganaki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo, how did you two meet?\u201d Amaryllis folded her hands and leaned in closer to Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAt college.\u201d Kasai blushed and looked down at her lap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAh, that\u2019s right.\u201d Ryogin unfolded his napkin and laid it across his lap. \u201cYou both attend ABG, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYup.\u201d Onin looked over to Kasai, then back to Ryogin. \u201cWe both have a minor in criminal justice. So, how did you meet Ryogin?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHe rescued me from the Natas.\u201d Amaryllis placed her hand on Ryogin\u2019s arm and gazed up at him. \u201cI\u2019ve told Kasai and the other girls the whole story.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin glanced over at Kasai as Amaryllis recounted how Ryogin rescued her. Kasai\u2019s eyes met his. Her lips parted in a slow smile. She blinked and looked down at her appetizer. Onin wished he could stare into those deep green eyes forever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin cleared his throat and took another bite of his appetizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo, how did you start working for Ryogin after he rescued you?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, I didn\u2019t have anywhere to stay.\u201d Amaryllis took a bite of her appetizer and swallowed before she continued. \u201cSo Ryogin-sama arranged a room for me in the dorms. He already needed a lab assistant, and I found the work fascinating. So between that and my gift, I was a decent help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHa!\u201d Ryogin snorted. \u201cBest assistant I\u2019ve ever had.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAw.\u201d Amaryllis batted her eyes at Ryogin and waved her hand. \u201cI try, and I love the job. I\u2019ve screwed up a few times, though. Anyway, we got along well, and&#8230;\u201d She blushed and looked down at the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUm, I have to go to the bathroom.\u201d Kasai looked back and forth between Ryogin and Amaryllis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh! Me, too!\u201d Amaryllis jumped up. \u201cIt\u2019s this way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin watched the girls walk past the kitchen and around the corner. He glanced up at Ryogin, then concentrated on his saganaki.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGood food.\u201d Ryogin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Onin wasn\u2019t sure what else to say. Amaryllis had been carrying most of the conversation so far, and Onin usually let Tannin do most of the talking when he met new people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Come to think of it, they hadn\u2019t really known Amaryllis or Ryogin for very long. Onin looked around the restaurant. Nothing to really converse about. A bunch of people eating. He could see into the kitchen, but no one was doing anything particularly interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">There was a vid screen setup in the kitchen that was turned to IDNN. The current story was about high waters somewhere. Wait. Onin jerked his head back to the screen when the image changed to a picture of a comet. The text scroll mentioned Caradan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, did you see that?\u201d Onin pointed at the screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm?\u201d Ryogin craned his head around to see the screen. His face paled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDo you think it\u2019s going to hit?\u201d Onin asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes.\u201d Ryogin pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped at it. \u201cBut that\u2019s not the real issue. I hope I\u2019m wrong, but that doesn\u2019t look like an ordinary comet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin looked back at the screen, but the story had changed again. Something moved in the corner of his eye, and Onin looked over his shoulder. Kasai and Amaryllis walked over to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat\u2019s not an ordinary comet?\u201d Amaryllis asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSorry. I didn\u2019t want to ruin our date, but&#8230;\u201d Ryogin\u2019s voice trailed off and he handed his phone to Amaryllis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Her eyes widened and her ears flattened to the back of her head. \u201cOh no,\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis wordlessly handed the phone over to Kasai. Onin jumped up and looked over her shoulder. The screen showed a live telescope feed of the comet. It wasn\u2019t a rock. Well, not exactly. It was a crystalline dragon, curled into a ball. If Onin was reading the numbers on the screen correctly, it was as big as a small house. And it was headed pretty much straight at them.<\/p>\n\n\n<aside id=\"custom_html-2\" class=\"widget_text widget widget_custom_html amr_widget\"><h2 class=\"widget-title\">Advertisment &#8211; Help keep Etherno free<\/h2><div class=\"textwidget custom-html-widget\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">\n    google_ad_client = \"ca-pub-6329442091957906\";\n    google_ad_slot = \"2637632844\";\n    google_ad_width = 728;\n    google_ad_height = 90;\n<\/script>\n<!-- 728x90, created 3\/31\/09 -->\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\"\nsrc=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/show_ads.js\">\n<\/script><\/div><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-18\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"237\">&lt;&lt; Previous Chapter<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/table-of-contents\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"34\">Contents<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-20\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"245\">Next Chapter >><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.aarondemott.com\/newsletter\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/env_sm.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-178\" width=\"33\" height=\"20\"> Be notified when the next chapter comes out!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"text\/javascript\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.ko-fi.com\/cdn\/widget\/Widget_2.js\"><\/script><script type=\"text\/javascript\">kofiwidget2.init('Buy me a cup of tea', '#29abe0', 'V7V05ASUY');kofiwidget2.draw();<\/script>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chapter 19: Where Is It? Onin frowned at the sunlight streaming through the window of the enclosed porch. He\u2019d been staring out into the city&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-241","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=241"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":289,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/241\/revisions\/289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}