{"id":371,"date":"2021-11-01T18:05:57","date_gmt":"2021-11-01T22:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=371"},"modified":"2021-11-08T17:29:38","modified_gmt":"2021-11-08T22:29:38","slug":"chapter-31","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-31\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 031: Planet of Women"},"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 31: Planet of Women<\/strong><\/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<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Purona_md.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-372\" width=\"527\" height=\"745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Purona_md.png 724w, https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Purona_md-212x300.png 212w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai clomped up the steps to the bridge. Everyone else, with the exception of Amaryllis and Ryogin, was already there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGetting ready to drop out of hyperspace,\u201d Tannin announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai strapped herself into her chair on the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin\u2019s hand hovered over a lever on the control console. \u201cIn three\u2026 two\u2026 one&#8230;\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He pulled the lever, and a dizzying rainbow of colors swirled to life on the main display screen at the front of the bridge. Or it could be a window. Before they\u2019d fixed the ship, Kasai had been able to look through it into the ship, yet it could block out the view and display just about anything else as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The colors faded away, and a small green marble zipped in to fill the window. Kasai groaned at her own metaphor. Just about every book she\u2019d ever read described planets that way. Well, that or as a jewel. Yet the metaphor worked. Wispy pink-tinged white clouds drifted across the surface of the green planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey.\u201d Cerina leaned forward. \u201cIs it just me, or is that big purple land mass shaped kinda like a reclining cat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai blinked. It was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, I\u2019m seeing it too.\u201d Tannin leaned back in the pilot\u2019s chair. \u201cSo either it does, or we\u2019re both crazy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina stuck her tongue out at him. \u201cI\u2019m not ruling that out. I mean, come on. It\u2019s a planet full of cat people, with a cat-shaped continent? It\u2019s just too clich\u00e9.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin leaned around the chair and shot Cerina a thumbs up. \u201cMushrooms!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai put a hand to her mouth and stifled a giggle. Tannin was great at diffusing stressful or weird situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cCommunicating with Arrivals, nyan!\u201d Chibi-chan popped up on the main display and his tail wagged back and forth. \u201cI\u2019ll take over from here, nyan!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThey should be expecting us.\u201d Aiden poked a control at the bridge console she was seated at. \u201cI let the Union of Free Allied Planets know we were coming. The Nekotians should know we\u2019re coming. Also, the Kagoshi should be sending a small detachment to assist in hunting the Natas as well.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThanks.\u201d Onin nodded. \u201cWell, after we land, let\u2019s get suited up and meet everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Five minutes later Kasai joined everyone else at the airlock. After that first time suiting up, she\u2019d kept her suit in her room, instead of in her locker in the wide-open, non-privacy partitioned cargo bay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin lifted his hand toward the door switch. \u201cEveryone ready?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOne moment.\u201d Aiden pulled a pair of dark tinted glasses from her pocket and put them on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin leaned back toward her. \u201cWhat\u2019s with the shades?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin shrugged and slapped the door control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The door slid open, and a ramp lowered from the ship down the landing pad. The pad was in the middle of a wide field of purple grass. The sky was light green overhead, with only a few wispy pink clouds in the sky. A few round orange bushes dotted the field, which had at least a dozen other landing pads scattered throughout it. A black and white checkered path wound through the grass to one of the strangest buildings Kasai had ever seen. The building was constructed of different wings, each made in a different geometric shape. Dark red triangles, bronze spheres, yellow parallelograms. Kasai blinked. The colors were making her eyes water. A door in the building opened, and a mother-of-pearl hovercar zipped out toward them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin\u2019s jaw dropped. \u201cIt\u2019s a Nekotian ship!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai looked back and forth from the ship to the hovercar. That did make a lot of sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina groaned and rubbed her eyes. \u201cHey Aiden, do you have any more of those glasses?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThey sell them in the spaceport\u2019s gift shop.\u201d Aiden grinned. \u201cThey\u2019re one of the most popular items for off-world tourists, and the Nekotians can\u2019t figure out why.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai settled her wings to her back and stepped closer to Onin as the hovercar approached. It was an open-air model, and four Nekotians were seated inside. The hovercar stopped a few yards away, and the Nekotians hopped out. All of them were female, and all of them were at least a half-head shorter than Cerina. They wore identical eye-melting uniforms. Short-sleeved jackets that were open at the front. They were white with various geometric shapes in just about every neon color imaginable haphazardly scattered all over. Over the left breast pocket there was a neon orange cartoon cat that was vaguely reminiscent of Chibi-chan. Under the jacket, each of them wore a forest green wrap that showed both the navel, and an ample amount of cleavage. They wore a mini-skirt that matched the jacket with matching canvas sneakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The first Nekotian was shorter than the others, and had green hair done up in a high pony-tail. The second had orange, black, and white calico hair to her shoulders. Half of her bangs were white, and the other half was orange and held back to the side of her head with a butterfly clip. Kasai leaned out to get a better look at her. Was the color pattern natural? The shorter fur on her ears and tail was also in splotches of white, black, and reddish-orange. On further inspection, her hair was cut in layers to highlight the calico pattern. It was really cute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The third Nekotian in the welcome party had blue hair in a pixie cut, and the fourth bright red hair in a side-pony with bangs arcing over her right eye.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The red-head stepped forward, smiled, and waved. \u201cHi! Like, welcome to Nekotia!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai smiled. Her bright eyes and easy smile certainly made her seem friendly. And the high, sing-song tone in her voice reminded Kasai of a stereo-typical high-school cheerleader.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The other three Nekotian women stepped forward and kissed each of their visitors on the right cheek. The one with blue hair smiled, leaned in toward Kasai, and brushed her lips and cheek against Kasai\u2019s right cheek. She stepped back, and smiled. \u201cLike, I totally love your wings! They\u2019re totes cute!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThanks.\u201d Kasai blinked. That was an unusual speech pattern. She looked over at Onin. He shrugged back at her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Something hissed. Kasai looked down the line. Amaryllis stood in front of Ryogin, ears flat back to her head. She was glaring daggers at the calico-haired Nekotian, and the fur on her tail was poofed out. Ryogin gripped Amaryllis\u2019 shoulders, holding her back. The calico-haired Nekotian\u2019s ears drooped, and she took a step backward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The red-haired Nekotian walked briskly over and placed a hand on the calico-haired one\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cExcuse me.\u201d The redhead bowed to Amaryllis. \u201cLike, have you just recently become mates?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes.\u201d Ryogin pulled Amaryllis back and into a hug. \u201cSorry, she\u2019s not normally this possessive.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2014I\u2019m sorry, I didn\u2019t know!\u201d The calico-haired Nekotian ducked behind the redhead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAh.\u201d The redhead bowed again. \u201cIt\u2019s normal to be a little over-possessive just after a mating ceremony. I apologize. The mistake is ours.\u201d She frowned over her shoulder at the calico-haired Nekotian. \u201cWe should have skipped the standard greeting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cStandard greeting?\u201d Amaryllis\u2019s ears lifted, and her posture relaxed a little.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The redhead\u2019s tail twitched. \u201cI apologize again. I assumed you would have a passing familiarity with Nekotian customs, since you have one of our race among you, as well as two Matari.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh.\u201d Amaryllis blinked and smoothed down her tail fur. \u201cI\u2019m only half-Nekotian. I\u2019ve never actually met another Nekotian before.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh!\u201d The redhead\u2019s ears perked up. \u201cThis is an extra special day, then!\u201d She shook her head. \u201cSorry. We should totes start with introductions. My name is Xironi, and this is Rala, Purona, and Nisha.\u201d She pointed to the green, calico, and blue haired Nekotians in order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin stepped forward. \u201cI\u2019m Onin.\u201d He pointed to Kasai, then to the others as he introduced them. \u201cKasai, Onin, Saija, Cerina, Aiden, Amaryllis, and Ryogin. We\u2019re from Gesara.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah!\u201d Xironi nodded. \u201cThe Kagoshi totally informed the leader of our kinset that you were coming. We\u2019re to escort you to his home to meet him and discuss the threat from the Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Xironi blinked and cocked an ear. \u201cWould you like to visit the spaceport gift shop first? You\u2019re totes not required to, but most off-worlders seem to greatly enjoy it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes, please!\u201d Cerina squinted her eyes and headed for the hovercar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSweet!\u201d Xironi turned and headed to the hovercar, her tail held high behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The inside of the spaceport was even worse than the outside. The color scheme and jarring shapes were the same, but the interior added more flashing neon lighting than Kasai had ever seen in one place. Synthesized music with a rapid beat played softly in the background. Kasai ended up getting a pair of sunglasses as well. She breathed a sigh of relief as she put them on. They had to have some sort of electronic component to them, as the glasses not only muted the bright glaring colors, but suppressed the flashing of the lights as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">From the spaceport, Xironi led them out to the street where they boarded a chartreuse, dark red, and silver swirled hover bus. Kasai smiled as Onin sat beside her, then she leaned over to look out the window. Both sides of the street were lined with vendors, each with a flashing neon sign above the entrance. A wide variety of brightly-colored merchandise was on display. The hover bus sped along the street through the sprawling city. Towering skyscrapers, each shaped differently than the last rose up in the next area of the city, almost as brightly lit as the previous area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Next was the residential area. Small houses in the same eye-melting color scheme as everything else on Nekotia dotted the landscape. Each had a small lawn covered in purple grass, and most had a few trees of varying colors. Small yellow and pink haired children played on the lawn in front of one of the houses. They noticed the bus, and ran to the edge of the lawn, tails and ears high, waving as the bus passed them. Kasai waved back. As much as the Nekotians seemed to have no concept of the phrase \u2018coordinated colors\u2019, they seemed a friendly lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The bus pulled to a stop in front of a structure that looked like a large tree was growing out of a pixelated video game version of a tennis shoe. Kasai blinked and followed the others off the bus. Purona, the calico-haired member of the greeting committee, let out a small eep and jumped behind Xironi when Amaryllis stepped off the bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSorry,\u201d Amaryllis whispered. \u201cI didn\u2019t mean to hiss at you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s totes okay.\u201d Xironi waved her hand. \u201cWe, like, totally know you didn\u2019t mean it. Let\u2019s go meet the leader of our kinset.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Xironi led the way into the strange structure. The first room inside the door looked like a reception room to Kasai. Two lines of magenta and dark blue striped chairs were arranged in front of a tall counter. Doors were on the wall to either side. A brown-haired Nekotian looked up from where she sat behind the counter when they entered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHello!\u201d Xironi ran over and kissed the brown-haired Nekotian on her right cheek. \u201cI\u2019ve, like, brought the Gesaran visitors to see Claal-Deka.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The receptionist\u2014or security guard, Kasai wasn\u2019t sure which\u2014smiled. \u201cHe\u2019s totes ready for you in meeting room two.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThanks!\u201d Xironi waved again, and gestured to the door on the left side of the room. \u201cFollow me, please.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona rushed ahead to hold the door open for everyone. Onin followed Xironi, and Kasai and the others followed along behind him. They went a few yards down a dark green and neon orange polka-dotted hallway, and Xironi stopped in front of another door. Rala, the green-haired member of the welcome committee, sprinted up and held the door open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">This room had white walls, and beige carpeting. A long wooden table with plush dark blue chairs spaced around it filled the room. Directly across the table, a clean-shaven male Nekotian with light blue hair that fell to his shoulders was slumped over in his chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh thank Ard this room\u2019s not trying to murder my eyeballs,\u201d Cerina muttered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin elbowed her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat, you were thinking it too,\u201d Cerina whispered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai covered her mouth with her hand. Onin turned and glared at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Xironi waited a few seconds, then cleared her throat. Nothing happened. Xironi sighed, pulled a knife from her belt, and thumped the table with the handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWha?\u201d The male Nekotian jumped in his chair and whipped his head around, scanning the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYo, Claal-Deka, the visitors from Gesara are like, totally here.\u201d Xironi bowed and sheathed her knife. She turned to face Kasai and the others. \u201cThe leader of our kinset, Claal-Deka.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Claal-Deka stood and Kasai tried not to stare. He was a tad on the short side for a Gesaran, but he was the tallest Nekotian Kasai had yet seen. He was also heavily muscled\u2014he looked like he could bench-press a bus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Claal-Deka flashed them a toothy grin and bowed to each of them. \u201cForgive my napping. Welcome to Nekotia.\u201d He turned to Amaryllis. \u201cI understand you\u2019ve never been to the homeworld?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo.\u201d Amaryllis stepped closer to Ryogin and wrapped her arm possessively around his. \u201cI\u2019m only half Nekotian. We don\u2019t even know if my mother or father was captured, or if the Natas stole genetic material.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Claal-Deka crossed his arms and growled low in his throat. \u201cThe Natas have harassed our people for the past hundred years. Recently they have become even more bold. Rest assured, we will work with you to end their threat.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He sighed, and bent to write something on a piece of paper. He handed the paper to Xironi. \u201cTake this to our kinset\u2019s IBTC representative.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cGot it, sir!\u201d Xironi saluted him, waved to Kasai and the others, and sprinted out of the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Claal-Deka looked around. \u201cWhich of you leads your group?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin raised his hand. \u201cWell, we\u2019re basically equals, but they\u2019ve elected me leader, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Claal-Deka crossed to the other side of the table and clapped Onin on the shoulder. \u201cBe confident, youngling. If your friends have confidence in you, be proud to be their leader.\u201d He looked around at everyone and took a breath. \u201cI\u2019ve requested a full meeting of both the Council of Kinsets, and the IBTC. The Kagoshi and Matari have told us the tales of horror of the new hosts that the Natas have found. We must stand together to end their reign of terror over our worlds. It will take time, however, to gather the Council. In the meantime, Xironi and the other warriors of our kinset will search out the Natas that are rumored to be on our world and inform you immediately when they are found. Please, until that time, enjoy our hospitality. I shall have Rala escort you. If you have need of anything, please ask her.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai looked over her shoulder. Purona stared at the floor and leaned up against the wall, away from the others. Kasai\u2019s heart thumped in her chest. She knew what it felt like to screw up and be ostracized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cExcuse me?\u201d Kasai took a step forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes?\u201d Claal-Deka put a hand on his hip and gave her another toothy grin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He looked like he\u2019d just stepped out of some anime fashion magazine or something. Kasai grinned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWould it be possible for Purona to be our guide?\u201d Kasai gestured behind her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona\u2019s head shot up and her tail stood straight out. \u201cMe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes, please!\u201d Amaryllis stepped to Kasai\u2019s side. \u201cI lost control and over-reacted, and I\u2019d like a chance to apologize for that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm.\u201d Claal-Deka frowned and drummed his fingers on his head while staring at Purona.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona clutched her hands to her chest and her eyes darted around in an effort not to stare back at anyone. Kasai winced. She hated to be the center of that much attention, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Claal-Deka sighed. \u201cVery well, if you wish.\u201d He turned to Purona. \u201cBe sure to do your best. Don\u2019t be too proud to ask for help if you need it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYes, sir!\u201d Purona saluted him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIf you could show them to their hotel\u2014\u201d He stopped mid-sentence, frowned, then snapped his fingers and turned to face Amaryllis. \u201cAh, yes. I almost forgot. Family is important to us Nekotians. It is a crime against our people by those vile Natas that you were deprived of the chance to know yours. With your permission, I\u2019d like to try to find which family line you belong to. We keep extensive genetic records. With your being a hybrid, we may not find anything, but I would like the chance to at least try.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis looked over to Ryogin. Neither of them said anything, but they stared at each other for a while, noses, eyes, and, in Amaryllis\u2019 case, ears all subtlety twitching. Kasai suspected they might be able to communicate telepathically with each other. It would explain Amaryllis talking to her staff constantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI\u2019ll think about it.\u201d Amaryllis bowed to Claal-Deka. \u201cI always wondered who my parents were, and it would be nice to have answers to at least part of that mystery. Yet, on the other hand, I do know who my family is.\u201d She squeezed Ryogin in a hug with one arm, and gestured to the rest of the group with the other. \u201cThese are all my family now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Claal-Deka smiled. \u201cExcellent. Please let me know of your decision. I won\u2019t keep you from your room any longer. If you\u2019ll excuse me, I have another meeting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He bowed to them, then left the room.<\/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\">Purona gulped. She was now alone in the meeting room with the aliens. Well, that they were aliens didn\u2019t bother her, in fact, she was totally super excited to get to talk to them. It\u2019s just that she had a job to do. A job that she hadn\u2019t known she would have until just a few seconds ago. Rala had made all the arrangements, knew the itinerary, had studied what they knew of the aliens\u2019 culture. Purona had just had her maturity party last week. She\u2019d just started the job two days ago. It was simple, they\u2019d told her. Ride along, look pretty, greet the guests, go home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">But no, on her first out-of-the-office assignment she\u2019d nearly caused an interstellar incident, and now had to guide the aliens around for their entire visit. Not that she minded, it was super exciting, but also terrifying. What if she screwed up again?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>Don\u2019t freak, Purona. It\u2019s no big deal, just be nice. Aaaaghh! Who am I kidding? I\u2019m totally freaking!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cPurona?\u201d The nice, cute girl with the wings turned to face her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNyan?\u201d Purona clapped a hand over her mouth. <em>Flerk! That\u2019s super NOT professional! <\/em>\u201cUh, I mean, what can I do for you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Wing-girl\u2014<em>Her name\u2019s Kasai, right?<\/em>\u2014turned to face her. \u201cSorry if we put you on the spot. You just looked so forlorn after\u2026 you know\u2026 and I wanted to make it up to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona cocked an ear to the side. <em>Whaa? You, make it up to me? It was totally my fault!<\/em> She felt her face heat. <em>And how had she missed THAT scent in the first place, anyway?<\/em> \u201cUm, I\u2019ll do my best!\u201d She looked around the room. \u201cUm, would you like to see your hotel suite we\u2019ve arranged for you?\u201d <em>Stupid, quit saying \u2018um\u2019!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai smiled, and her eyes twinkled. She turned to Amaryllis and they both giggled. <em>Giggling is good, right? But why are they giggling? I haven\u2019t said anything weird, have I?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe\u2019d love to see the hotel.\u201d The brown haired male\u2014<em>Onin, right? Can\u2019t forget their names, I\u2019d really be in trouble then!<\/em>\u2014glared at Kasai and Amaryllis, then turned to smile at Purona. \u201cRelax, you\u2019re doing fine. Our culture is different, we won\u2019t hold anything inadvertent against you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona felt the tension drain out of her shoulders. He was so nice, and he smelled good\u2014wait, she wasn\u2019t going to make that mistake again. She took a cautious sniff. Kasai\u2019s scent was all over him. They weren\u2019t mates, but Kasai definitely had a claim on him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona took half a step back. \u201cThe hotel is this way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She turned and rushed to the door. Were they following her? Purona swiveled her left ear around. Yup, lots of footsteps behind her. Good. She left the building and headed for the subway station. <em>Should I be talking right now? What about? Am I walking too fast? How fast does a Gesaran walk anyway?<\/em> She glanced over her shoulder. <em>Probably faster than I do with those long legs. Gosh, they\u2019re all so tall!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThe hotel is several blocks away, so we\u2019ll take the subway.\u201d <em>Ahg, I sound like a robot!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo are there are a lot of hotels in the city?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona jumped at the voice by her ear. Kasai had come up to walk on her left side. Amaryllis stepped forward to match pace with her on her right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona looked back and forth between them. \u201cYeah, there\u2019s like, several. What with this being the capital city, we get a lot of visitors. The <em>Imperial<\/em> is the best, though. It\u2019s super awesome! We\u2019ve reserved the penthouse suite for you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>At least, I think it was the penthouse suite, right? I know it was the Imperial&#8230;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They made it safely to the subway, and Purona leaned against the wall for a short nap. Keeping up with these Gesarans was fun but exhausting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The bump of the subway stopping woke Purona. She yawned and stretched her hands over her head. A quick glance out the window at the station name confirmed this was the correct stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe\u2019re here!\u201d Purona jumped up and led the way off the subway car and up the stairs to the street. \u201cThat\u2019s the <em>Imperial<\/em> there.\u201d She pointed to the towering hotel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">It was only a few blocks away, and it seemed to fill the sky. Purona shivered with pleasure and grinned. She\u2019d wanted to visit the famous historical hotel for so long. She stared up in awe. One hundred floors, each lit in a different dazzling color. She glanced over her shoulder. The Gesarans were staring up at it as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona led the way into the hotel and stopped for a moment to admire the beauty of it all. Green marble floor tiles with neon orange lighting between the seams. Brightly colored statues of various famous individuals from Nekotia\u2019s history lined each wall. Teal and dark yellow booths were set in between each statue for guests to relax and mingle. Purona sighed with contentment. It was everything the h-net site said it would be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>Wait, I\u2019m here to do something\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona felt her eyes widen, and she slowly turned to face Kasai and others\u2014that she was supposed to be checking in\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHeh&#8230;\u201d She waved. <em>Someone kill me now\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai smiled and waved back. Tannin helpfully pointed at the pinkwood reception desk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, marched up to the reception desk, and rubbed cheeks with the clerk in greeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHello. I\u2019m Purona, and these are, like, the dignitaries from Gesara.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The clerk stared right through her. Purona cocked her head to the side. <em>I\u2019m not forgetting something am I? I know this is the right hotel. It can\u2019t be the wrong hotel!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The clerk sighed. \u201cReservations or identification?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona jerked her head up. <em>Stupid, stupid! Of course we\u2019d need I.D.! I didn\u2019t forget that, did I? <\/em>She patted down her pockets and let out a sigh of relief as her hand closed around her phone and I.D. card. She smiled and thrust them at the clerk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The hotel clerk rolled her eyes and entered some information on the holo-screen set into the desk. Purona looked around the lobby while the clerk was entering their information. Several ladies in neon pink and navy blue business suits stood chatting in a group to her right. Next to them was an older male in a Nekotian uniform tapping away at his phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Off to her left\u2014Purona gasped. There was a group of about ten males. Not a girl in sight among them. Purona felt herself go weak in the knees. She\u2019d never seen that many males at once before. They looked to be only a few years older than her. She took a half step toward them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHere\u2019s your room keys.\u201d The clerk\u2019s voice jerked Purona back to reality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The clerk handed Purona\u2019s phone and I.D. card back, and passed out proximity cards with each person\u2019s picture on them. Even to Perona. She blinked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>I\u2019m not supposed to have one, am I? As-if, I can\u2019t afford this place!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona pulled out her phone, and scrolled through her messages. There. One from Rala that outlined her new duties. Yup. A room. Here. At the <em>Imperial<\/em>. All. Expenses. Paid. A huge grin that she couldn\u2019t stop spread across Purona\u2019s face. Sure, the rest of the message said, in no uncertain terms, that she was to do ANYTHING their off-world guests wanted, but they seemed nice and she wouldn\u2019t pass this up for all the \u2018nip in the world. First rate accommodations, and she got to meet aliens. Purona sighed and clutched her room key to her chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>Room key. Right. Everyone probably wants to see their rooms.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIf you\u2019ll follow me, please.\u201d Purona turned and led the way to the elevator. It was a long ride up to the hundredth floor. Purona felt like she should say something, but didn\u2019t have a clue as to what. Amaryllis was snuggled up to her mate. Onin and Kasai were staring at each other and pretending not to. Tannin and Saija were whispering to each other and giggling. Cerina leaned up against the far corner of the elevator, her arms crossed over her chest, glaring at the wall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona flicked an ear. The others were fairly open, friendly, and up-front. Cerina looked cranky and grumped a lot, but she hadn\u2019t actually said anything mean, and she did seem determined to stop the Natas. Then again, Purona had only known her for a few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>Maybe she\u2019s just on the red wave? Do aliens even have that?<\/em> Purona jerked upright. <em>I can\u2019t ask that! It\u2019s probably personal for them too, I\u2019d get fired for sure, possibly start a war!<\/em> Purona fanned her face with her hand. <em>Is it hot in here? Can\u2019t this elevator go any faster?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Mercifully, the elevator came to a stop seconds later. Purona breathed a sigh of relief and jumped out as soon as the doors opened. And stopped in shock. The living area for the penthouse was larger than her entire apartment. Marble floors, fluted columns, three over-stuffed sofas, a fireplace, and the largest holo-viewer Purona had ever seen. And someone had even re-decorated the entire suite in earth tones. It looked rather bland, but the aliens seemed to enjoy the flat boring colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSweet, T.V.!\u201d Tannin dove onto a sofa. \u201cAh, this is nice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cMm-hmm.\u201d Kasai ran her fingers down the column nearest her. \u201cThis is even better than our dorm rooms back at ABG. And I thought that was heaven compared to my room at the monastery.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina snorted. \u201cAt least it\u2019s not the blinding day-glow color-scheme that the rest of this planet\u2019s been drowned in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI wonder if there\u2019s a kitchen?\u201d Saija traipsed down the hall to the right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona took a step back. \u201cUh, I guess I\u2019ll leave you now. My room\u2019s right here next to the door if you need anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNonsense.\u201d Amaryllis reached out and linked arms with Purona. \u201cPlease stay and chat for a bit. I\u2019d love to ask you more about Nekotia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai smiled at her. \u201cAnd I\u2019m sure you have questions about us, too. We\u2019d love to get to know you better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cM-me?\u201d Purona put a hand to her chest. \u201cI\u2019m not anyone special.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure you are.\u201d Onin took Kasai\u2019s hand. \u201cYou\u2019re our guide, hostess, whatever you want to call it. If I understand correctly, we\u2019re going to be working with you for our stay here, right?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona nodded. <em>I think that\u2019s my job now. I don\u2019t know!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis smiled. \u201cCome sit with us for a bit and we\u2019ll all get to know each other.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona followed the others over to the sofa. She was awfully curious about the aliens\u2014but she was also terrified that she\u2019d say the wrong thing and get someone in trouble. But then, she was staying in the same suite anyway, and she had been told to do anything they asked. She swallowed and followed Amaryllis over to the couch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cLet\u2019s start with us.\u201d Amaryllis settled down on the couch and leaned back into Ryogin\u2019s shoulder. \u201cAs I said when we introduced everyone earlier, I\u2019m half Nekotian, but I don\u2019t know my parents. I\u2019m not even sure if I had parents, really.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona sat and listened with rapt attention as Amaryllis described her early life, being raised by the Natas, finding out what they really wanted her for, then Ryogin rescuing her, her studies at the university, and how she\u2019d met the others. Kasai\u2019s history was even more fascinating. She\u2019d kinda just assumed that some Gesarans had wings, but Kasai was actually half dragon! Purona shuddered. She\u2019d read the news reports of dragons fighting Nekotian ships out past the colonies. They were ferocious, powerful, and terrifying. Kasai seemed really nice though, and even a little shy. Onin, Tannin, and Cerina all had pretty normal stories about growing up and going to school. Too normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUm, can I ask a question?\u201d Purona looked around the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSure,\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh, I\u2019ve, um\u2014\u201d Purona wrung her hands and looked at the floor. \u201c\u2014heard that Gesarans had special abilities. Is that true?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cFor the most part, yes.\u201d Onin grinned at her. \u201cNot all Gesarans have gifts, but a lot of us do, and that seems to be one reason why the Natas like us for hosts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Tannin sat up on the couch that he\u2019d been sprawled across. \u201cWe just fought off a bunch of them. That\u2019s why we\u2019re here on Nekotia. We\u2019re tracking those vile things down so they don\u2019t possess and torture anyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo\u2026\u201d Purona looked around. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind my asking, like, what kind of gifts do you have?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThey\u2019re unique to each individual.\u201d Onin held out his hand, palm up. \u201cFor example, I can generate balls of energy that I call servitors. They can do all sorts of stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin\u2019s palm glowed, and a yellow-white ball of light grew out of it. It continued to grow until it was the size of Purona\u2019s head, then detached and floated up to hover a few feet above their heads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona stared at it. \u201cThat\u2019s amazing!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, snacks are on!\u201d Saija\u2019s voice echoed from the kitchen. She came around the corner carrying a plate that smelled tantalizingly of fish. \u201cThe whole kitchen is stocked. So, I made fish and crackers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina raised an eyebrow. \u201cThat\u2019s a weird combination. What are you, pregnant?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija stuck her tongue out at her. \u201cFine, don\u2019t have any.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Everyone helped themselves. Purona reached a hesitant hand forward. No one said anything, so she nabbed a cracker. Each cracker had a small piece of baked fish, topped with a light tartar sauce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo, what about you?\u201d Amaryllis popped a cracker in her mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUm, I\u2019m from one of the more distant families in the Deka kinset.\u201d Purona curled her tail more tightly around herself. \u201cI have an older brother and sister, and a younger sister. I graduated secondary school a few months ago and just got a job answering phones and doing paperwork for the government spaceport.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin leaned forward. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind my asking, how old are you? Amaryllis seemed to physically mature a little younger than most Gesarans. We\u2019ve wondered if that was due to her Nekotian DNA.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona sat up. \u201cI\u2019m nine. Some Nekotians don\u2019t graduate until they turn ten but I worked really hard so I could get a job as soon as possible after having my maturity party.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat?\u201d Cerina leaned forward. \u201cYou\u2019re nine?\u201d She stared at Purona\u2019s chest, face, chest, then back again. \u201cLife is so unfair!\u201d She slumped over and thunked her head into the arm of the couch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona blinked. \u201cDid I say something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNope.\u201d Tannin patted Cerina on the shoulder. \u201cGesarans reach adulthood on their eighteenth birthday. Just ignore Cerina. She always acts weird.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat!\u201d Cerina shot upright. \u201cWhat do you mean I act weird, mushroom head?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona giggled. Those two fought like her brother and sisters did. Purona traded stories with the Gesarans for a few more hours. Gesara sounded like an interesting, yet blandly-colored planet. Finally Purona couldn\u2019t stop yawning and excused herself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She changed out of her uniform into a nightshirt and shorts, and snuggled down into the queen-sized feather bed in her room. She closed her eyes and sighed. \u201cSo comfy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>Not sure how I\u2019m gonna go back to that cheap mattress at my apartment. <\/em>She yawned and snuggled into the covers further. <em>Today wasn\u2019t so bad.<\/em><\/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-30\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"359\">&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-32\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"378\">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 31: Planet of Women Kasai clomped up the steps to the bridge. Everyone else, with the exception of Amaryllis and Ryogin, was already there.&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-371","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/371","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=371"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/371\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":384,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/371\/revisions\/384"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}