{"id":413,"date":"2022-01-24T23:00:30","date_gmt":"2022-01-25T04:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/?page_id=413"},"modified":"2022-02-17T13:46:17","modified_gmt":"2022-02-17T18:46:17","slug":"chapter-37","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-37\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 037: The Beach? But It\u2019s Not Episode 7!"},"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\" id=\"chapter-37-the-beach-but-it-s-not-episode-7\"><strong>Chapter 37:<\/strong> The Beach? But It\u2019s Not Episode 7!<\/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\">Kasai leaned away from the window of the mag-lev train as she attempted to subtly snuggle up to Onin. The city flashed by. Tall buildings gave way to short, squat buildings, then to rows of houses that were painted every color of the rainbow. After the residential areas, there were suburbs with sprawling lawns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai was again struck by uncanny resemblance to Gesara. It was weird. The Nekotians themselves resembled Gesarans, apart from the ears and tails. And walking around the city, and now speeding through it on the mag-lev train, the city layout was similar to cities back home\u2014jarring color schemes excepted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai had expected aliens to be, well, more alien. Like the Kagoshi, for example. Short, purple, angular features. Oh well. Probably for the best, anyway. She, Onin, and the others had fallen into a routine almost as soon as they\u2019d landed on Nekotia. And Purona fit into their group better than Cerina did. Well, it didn\u2019t hurt that they\u2019d already known Amaryllis, who, despite being only half Nekotian, looked exactly like one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A sigh escaped Kasai\u2019s lips. She was really the only one who didn\u2019t fit in. There wasn\u2019t anyone back home with wings or a tail. And both the Nekotians and Kagoshi were familiar with dragons, who were apparently also bad guys. No one could love her, she was just an ugly, half-breed animal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai froze at that thought. She looked over at Onin, asleep in his seat, head flopped back against the headrest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\"><em>That\u2019s not right. Onin\u2019s told me he loves me. And he\u2019s seen me in my full dragon form twice now.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A memory flashed through Kasai\u2019s mind. Onin wrapping her in his arms, pressing his lips to hers, all while she was naked, both physically and emotionally. He\u2019d seen her at her worst, and still loved her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai wiped a tear from her eye and wrapped herself around Onin\u2019s arm.<\/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\">A small bump jostled Kasai awake. She blinked, sat up, and looked out the window. The mag-lev train was slowing down. The track ahead split off in two different directions. There was another small bump, and the train accelerated down the right-hand track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The scene out the window now was a contrast to how it had been when Kasai fell asleep. The buildings here were mostly gray. The ones that were painted were all in faded colors. Crumbling concrete was everywhere, in the building walls, and the sidewalks and roads that criss-crossed the dilapidated neighborhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The train continued to accelerate. Soon, they crossed a river and left that neglected town behind. Fields full of purple plants with yellow and orange fruit filled the view now. A sweet aroma filled the train. Whatever that was, Kasai wanted to try some.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Light glinted in the distance, and soon the ocean came into view. Minutes later, a chime sounded, and the train started to slow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm?\u201d Purona\u2019s hands raised into the air as she stretched in the seat ahead of Kasai. \u201cOh, we\u2019re here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai nudged Onin\u2019s arm with her elbow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">He blinked, yawned, then looked out the window. \u201cAh. Thanks for waking me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">The train stopped. Everyone grabbed their bags from the overhead bins, and they followed Purona off the train.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona stopped outside the train station. \u201cSo, should we go find a motel room first, or head straight to the beach?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBeach!\u201d Tannin pumped his fist in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou heard him, let\u2019s go!\u201d Saija pointed to the water. \u201cBesides, now that I\u2019ve been here, I\u2019ll just portal us back home and we can come whenever we want.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, yeah.\u201d Purona\u2019s face flushed, and she took off toward the beach at a fast pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">It was a short walk to the beach from the station. They hiked down steps through orange dune grass and down onto a wide area covered with fine blue sand. The waves on the ocean were surprisingly blue. Kasai had almost expected some sort of bright neon color. Then again, that was silly. The water they\u2019d been drinking since they got to Nekotia was clear, and it hadn\u2019t made anyone sick yet. Logically, the ocean should be blue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin dropped his bag, peeled off his shirt, tossed it in the general direction of his bag, and sprinted to the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina rolled her eyes. \u201cSo, for those of us that aren\u2019t that carefree, is there somewhere to change?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah!\u201d Purona pointed off to the left. \u201cThere\u2019s changing tents over there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai leaned past Purona to get a better look. Two pink and black checkered tents, about six feet apart from another, were set back in the dune grass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin, Tannin, and Ryogin went into the closer tent, and Kasai followed the girls into the farther tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija whipped off her shirt as soon as she entered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSheesh!\u201d Cerina yanked the tent flap shut. \u201cWait until the door\u2019s shut at least.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI want to get changed fast so I can swim.\u201d Saija shucked her bra and dropped her pants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell you don\u2019t need to go waving those in my face.\u201d Cerina crossed her arms over her chest. \u201cI don\u2019t know what\u2019s worse. You flaunting it, or Kasai acting all embarrassed and acting like she\u2019s got nothing to show.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai side-stepped behind Amaryllis, turned around, and changed as quickly as she could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI don\u2019t see what you\u2019re complaining about.\u201d Ailah\u2019s voice sounded amused. \u201cOn Nekotia, smaller breasts are a sign of wisdom and maturity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIs that true?\u201d Cerina laughed. \u201cYou two must not be very wise, then!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Best to keep hiding behind Amaryllis. Kasai didn\u2019t want to get sucked into this conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, it\u2019s more of an old nana\u2019s tale,\u201d Purona said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai pulled up the right strap on her suit and peeked out from behind Amaryllis. Everyone was naked now, except Amaryllis and herself, who had just finished changing into their swimsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUm, I\u2019m going to go swim.\u201d Kasai pointed toward the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWoo!\u201d Saija yanked her swim bottoms up and tugged on her top. \u201cWait for me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden caught her by the arm. \u201cWait, you\u2019re hanging out.\u201d She straightened the straps on the back of Saija\u2019s top while Saija adjusted her front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThanks!\u201d Saija sprinted past Kasai out of the tent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai grinned and followed along behind Saija. The sun was straight overhead, and the green sky was free of clouds. It was a great day to go swimming. Onin, Tannin, and Ryogin had already changed. Ryogin sat at the water\u2019s edge and let the waves lap at his feet. Onin was about knee deep in the water, slowly making his way forward. Tannin was a ways out, swimming parallel to the beach with an overhand stroke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija sprinted out into the water until it was about mid-thigh, then she dove into the water. Seconds later, a portal opened above the water out beyond where Tannin was. Saija dove out of the portal and knifed into the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Fabric rustled behind Kasai, and the other girls exited the tent. Amaryllis wore a tasteful white one-piece suit. The others were all in two-pieces. Aiden and Cerina wore halter tops, yellow and blue, respectively. Purona had an orange and black striped bikini, and Ailah\u2019s bikini was the same color purple as her hair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis sat down next to Ryogin. The other girls waded out and were soon swimming or splashing. Kasai wandered over to stand next to Onin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai looked up and Onin and twirled her hair around her fingers. \u201cNice day, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHmm?\u201d Onin looked down at her and smiled. \u201cOh, hi, Kasai. Yes, it is. I was just thinking about the Natas problem.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Kasai wiggled her toes into the wet sand. The sand was cooler than the water. \u201cWe always seem to be one step behind them, don\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin shrugged. \u201cWell, can\u2019t be helped. Seems they\u2019ve been harassing the rest of the galaxy for a long time before they discovered us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Kasai reached for Onin\u2019s hand with hers, paused, then drew back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. Was this the best time to pursue a relationship? For that matter, did Onin even want that? He\u2019d said he loved her, but he hadn\u2019t really been affectionate. Maybe he was just a private person. Or perhaps she\u2019d misinterpreted what he\u2019d meant when he said he loved her. Take Tannin, for example. Kasai was sure he\u2019d say he loved her if she asked. Tannin loved everyone. But then, Onin had kissed her\u2014but only twice, and both times it was to help calm her down after she\u2019d transformed into a dragon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey.\u201d Onin grabbed Kasai\u2019s hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai felt her face flush and her legs go all wobbly at Onin\u2019s touch. \u201cYes?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cScrew the Natas. I\u2019m taking today off. Wanna go swim?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai nodded furiously, and didn\u2019t release Onin\u2019s hand as they walked out deeper into the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">It was a beautiful day. The water was just warm enough. The sun was bright, and the laughter of her friends floated over the waves. It was so much different than her life had been a year ago, a scared lonely girl hiding from the world in a monastery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They were waist deep in the water now. A gentle wave nudged Kasai backward, and she bumped into Onin. He wrapped his arms around her stomach, and she closed her eyes and leaned back into his chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWe haven\u2019t talked much lately.\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai wasn\u2019t sure how to respond to that. Did that mean he wanted to talk more, or less? She waited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin rested his cheek against the side of her head. \u201cWe talked a little before, and then all the Natas and stuff. I\u2019m sorry. I\u2019ve been distracted with stuff. Tannin actually had to tell me to focus on what\u2019s most important.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai tilted her head back to look up at him. \u201cTannin said that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin chuckled. \u201cWell, not in those words, but basically, yeah.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai bit her lip and took a deep breath. \u201cSo, what is important to you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou are.\u201d Onin squeezed her. \u201cI enjoy spending time with you. I love how you care about other people. I love how it\u2019s just\u2026 easy to be around you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai\u2019s insides pooled with warmth. Then her breath caught. Might as well as while they were being this open.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYou don\u2019t care that I\u2019m a freak?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat?\u201d Onin turned her around, caught her in a hug, and stared into her eyes. \u201cYou\u2019re not a freak.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI am too.\u201d Kasai flexed her wings. \u201cNo one else has wings and a tail.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAmaryllis has a tail, and\u2014\u201d Onin paused and took a deep breath. \u201cThat\u2019s not the point. I don\u2019t think you\u2019re a freak. You\u2019re you, and I love you for who you are. So does everyone else. None of your friends think that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai\u2019s heart melted. She wrapped her arms around Onin and burst into tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai peeked out at a splash of water. Saija swam over doing a backstroke. She stopped and floated a few feet away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cDid you make her cry?\u201d Saija stood up in the water. \u201cAm I going to have to kill you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai shook her head, but didn\u2019t let go of Onin. \u201cNo, it\u2019s okay. Good tears.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAh!\u201d Saija winked and gave her a thumbs up. She dropped into a breaststroke and swam back toward everyone else. \u201cIt\u2019s okay, guys, murder\u2019s off!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cTold you!\u201d Tannin yelled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin chuckled. \u201cThose guys. But see, we all care about you. Anyway, where was I? Oh, yeah. Um, we\u2019ve talked a little, I told you I love you, and we\u2019ve kissed twice, but we haven\u2019t really talked about it\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Kasai hid her face in his chest again. \u201cI\u2019m bad about opening up.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSo\u2026\u201d Onin\u2019s voice trailed off. Kasai felt his whole body tense up. \u201cWill you be my girlfriend?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai\u2019s first impulse was to shout yes and kiss him again. But she wanted more than that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell\u2014\u201d Kasai looked up into Onin\u2019s eyes. \u201cWhat do you mean by that? If we\u2019re going to be more than just friends, what do we want out of a relationship?\u201d She looked down and squished her toes into the sand. \u201cI\u2019m sorry. I\u2019m needy. I\u2019ve been abandoned so many times I can\u2019t have a casual fling like Tannin\u2019s always in.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin smiled. \u201cActually, I\u2019m glad to hear you say that. Maybe it\u2019s just hormones or something, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Well, I mean, uh, I\u2019d like to get you know better with the goal of seeing if that\u2019s what Ard wants for both of us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cI know I don\u2019t talk about it much.\u201d Onin blushed and looked down into the water. \u201cBut I am an Ard follower, and I know you were raised in a monastery and all, and&#8230;\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Kasai closed her eyes and leaned into him. \u201cThat\u2019s what I want too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin kissed the top of her head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai sighed. <em>Yup, this <\/em><em>is<\/em><em> the best day ever.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cUh\u2026\u201d Onin scratched the back of his neck. \u201cWe should go join the others or something before we get too caught up or something\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Kasai reluctantly let go of Onin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">She shielded her eyes with her hand and looked across the water. Everyone else was staring at her and Onin. They quickly found something else to do, pretending they weren\u2019t watching Onin and Kasai. Kasai sighed and headed over in that direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey!\u201d Tannin punched Onin in the shoulder. \u201cEnjoying yourself today?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cShut up.\u201d Onin blushed and did his best to ignore Tannin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey.\u201d Saija sided up next to Kasai. \u201cYou go, girl!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis swam up on her other side. \u201cThat was so romantic!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Purona popped up out of the water in front of her. \u201cYou\u2019re so lucky to have a boyfriend!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai felt her face heat, and she took a step backward. \u201cYou heard all that?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSome of it.\u201d Ailah appeared behind her. \u201cSound carries over water. What are you embarrassed about? He sounds like a great guy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai looked down. \u201cIt\u2019s just private.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Amaryllis sighed. \u201cAll right, let\u2019s leave her alone. Not everyone\u2019s an extrovert.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cAww.\u201d Purona\u2019s ears drooped to the side. \u201cI want details. I\u2019ve never had a boyfriend.\u201d She blushed. \u201cBut I guess I\u2019d want to keep some of that to myself, though.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">A beach ball bounced off the side of Saija\u2019s head.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIf you hens are done clucking, let\u2019s resume our game,\u201d Cerina said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai looked over her shoulder. Cerina was standing a few yards away, hands on her hips. She hadn\u2019t joined the others in pestering her. Was she jealous or\u2026? Well, neither had Aiden, but\u2026 Kasai sighed. Cerina was too much of a problem to solve in one day. She picked up the ball and spiked it back at Cerina.<\/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 frowned as Kasai\u2019s fingers slipped through his. He wanted to hold her forever. He took a deep breath. Best not to think about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin nudged him again. \u201cSo, what\u2019d she say?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhat?\u201d Onin said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh come on!\u201d Tannin rolled over in the water to float on his back. \u201cSo, are you two an item now?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin rolled his eyes. \u201cTannin, not everyone likes to gossip every little detail about their relationships.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWait, plural?\u201d Tannin stood up. \u201cYou got a side-girl?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin punched Tannin in the shoulder. \u201cNo, you pervert!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ryogin chuckled. \u201cI think he\u2019s referring to you, Tannin.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cBut I don\u2019t even have a girlfriend at the moment.\u201d He sighed. \u201cIt\u2019s a shame, too. A whole planet of beautiful catgirls\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin rolled his eyes. He was about to say something when the pwang of a hand smacking a ball echoed across the water. Onin looked over and saw a beach ball sailing toward Cerina. A diversion. Just what he needed to get Tannin off his back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey, let\u2019s go play with everyone else.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWhoo!\u201d Tannin dove under the water in the direction of the ball.<\/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\">It was more fun playing with other giftlings. Saija opened a portal beneath the ball, whisking it out of Cerina\u2019s reach. It re-entered above Ailah\u2019s head, who batted it over to Amaryllis. Before she could reach it, Kasai telekinetically grabbed the ball and tossed it high in the air. Onin thought about having a servitor grab the ball, but that might pop it. Instead, he waded over to stand closer to Kasai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">They played with the beach ball for an hour before Onin drug himself out of the water and collapsed on his towel to dry off in the sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cThat was fun.\u201d Purona said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden nodded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Ailah stretched her arms above her head. \u201cI needed that. Thanks, guys.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Kasai didn\u2019t say anything, but she laid down next to Onin and held his hand. Onin squeezed her hand and closed his eyes.<\/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 must have fallen asleep, because when he opened his eyes, the sun was lower on the horizon, and Kasai wasn\u2019t next to him anymore. He yawned and levered himself into a sitting position. Everyone else was a few yards away, clustered around Kasai. She held her hands palm up, flames rushing out of them. Tannin and the others were holding out sticks with hot-dogs and marshmallows on the ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cHey!\u201d Onin jogged over to them. \u201cKasai is not a grill!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Tannin grinned. \u201cOf course not, she\u2019s a girl, silly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Onin slapped his forehead with the palm of his hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina chuckled. \u201cYou walked right into that one.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYeah.\u201d Onin sighed. \u201cAfter knowing Tannin this long, I should\u2019ve expected it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cIt\u2019s fine.\u201d Kasai smiled at Onin. \u201cEveryone was hungry, and this was my idea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cWell, if you\u2019re okay with it\u2026\u201d Onin shrugged and looked around. \u201cSo I guess the Natas didn\u2019t show up?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cNo.\u201d Tannin frowned and bit into a hot-dog. \u201cI was sure they\u2019d show up. They always do in the movies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Ailah shrugged. \u201cEh, can\u2019t always win.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Cerina raised an eyebrow. \u201cYou\u2019re a lot more laid back when we first met you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cYup.\u201d Ailah popped a marshmallow in her mouth. \u201cNot on my own getting chased by crazy aliens anymore. Also found out my mom\u2019s still alive, and she wants me to be more myself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Aiden sighed. \u201cShame we wasted a trip out here.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cOh, we didn\u2019t waste a trip.\u201d Onin pulled Kasai into a side-hug. \u201cWe had some great team bonding time. And we had some down time, so we\u2019re physically and mentally fresh for the next battle. Also\u2014\u201d He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. \u201c\u2014I sent out a bunch of servitors in infrared mode. They\u2019re wandering around the kinless lands now, looking for the Natas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">\u201cSweet!\u201d Saija pumped her fist. \u201cWe\u2019ll be totally ready for them!\u201d She yawned. \u201cBut first, bed time.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"bookws\">Saija opened a portal, and stepped back while everyone filed through back to the hotel.<\/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-36\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"407\">&lt;&lt; Previous Chapter<\/a> |<a href=\"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/chapter-38\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"421\"> Contents | 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 37: The Beach? But It\u2019s Not Episode 7! Kasai leaned away from the window of the mag-lev train as she attempted to subtly snuggle&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-413","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/413","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=413"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/413\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":426,"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/413\/revisions\/426"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/etherno.aarondemott.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=413"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}