astesi

You could have summarized your questions and sent them to him. Why did you have to send the entire draft?

Trust me, he'll lift the entire thing and present it himself at the ARA forum, at which point it'll cease having anything to do with you or me forever.

It's all for the glory of the Urbicas. I don't see any problem with the head of the family presenting it...

Well, I do!

Why do you think I went to all that effort to run away from home? So I could live free, without him controlling me all the time!

And now you just handed months of our work over to him, just because you felt like you wanted his eyes on it?

It's my research too. Did you even think about asking me before sending out my results?

I didn't think—

You didn't think? Someone as careful and thoughtful as you?

Trust me, Genne, you're worrying too much. It's not as bad as you think. We're an important family, and Father will only sign the family's name on something as important as this.

Plus, he's reviewed and even edited my past papers. He discussed with me the pros and cons of adding his name to the top, and I agreed.

Yes, I know that all too well. Nice flowery words like 'for your own good', promises that will never be kept, and you fall for it, just like that.

Watch your mouth, Elena!

You know what? You sound just like he did when he'd scold me, Astesia.

I only wanted to put the best foot forward with this, Genne. Why don't you put your paranoia aside? Trust me, I'll take care of things.

You could never say no to him, and you expect me to trust that you can take care of things?

Enough. There's nothing more for us to talk about.

Where are you going?

Back to Rhine.

Genne...

Huh?

This is Genesis's communicator...

Do you need something, consultant?

Where is Rhine's employee housing?

Are you looking for someone in particular? I can reach them by phone here, whether they're home or at work.

That'd be great. Can you get Elena Urbica of the Energy Section on the line for me, please?

One moment...

You're looking for Elena Urbica, correct?

Yes. Is something the matter?

Well... Researcher Urbica seems to have moved out of her apartment when she applied for external assignment.

Records indicate she is not currently residing at Rhine.

Did she come to work today?

Hm... could I verify your identity first?

Sure.

Visiting Bibliography Consultant, Astesia Urbica.

(Hands over ID)

Everything seems to be in order. One moment while I look this up.

I'm sorry, but Researcher Urbica hasn't tapped into any Rhine Lab facilities today.

She hasn't been back to Rhine?

Seems that way.

She gets a bad feeling.

('Today is a day of misfortune for the Liberi.')

Is there anything else you need?

No, thank you.

(Stop scaring yourself. It'll be fine.)

(She's just off the grid for a minute because she doesn't have her communicator on her.)

(Maybe she went out for a walk around Trimounts.)

(The police station is this way, isn't it?)

(I need to find her...)

Pol...

She swallows the words before they come out.

She started thinking about it.

All the top astrologers are gathered here in Trimounts right now, her father foremost amongst them.

What will happen if the reporters learn that a rebellious daughter of his has gone missing?

They would undoubtedly jump on the story.

Nothing good could come of it, not for her family, her parents, or for her sister.

And so...

She passes by the police station.

(I'm sorry, Genne... I'm such a useless sister...)

(Come on, Astesia, think...)

Watch out! Runaway car!

(Who should I go to?)

Aaaaaaaaghhh!!!

Huh?

Are you okay? Are you hurt?

Sorry, I got distracted.

Dur-nar...? What are you doing here?

I thought you looked familiar. Turns out it was you, Astesia.

Some kind of luck, almost getting hit by a car in the middle of the day.

Same goes for the driver. Probably a broken part somewhere. Only so long you can avoid hitting someone.

Is he alright?

He finally got the car stopped, but flipped it over in the process.

Looks like he's okay, though. Just climbed out from the car. That's him talking on the phone right now.

Some luck. If Rhodes Island...

Rhodes Island?

Oh yeah! I can look for Rhodes Island!

Do you have a minute, Dur-nar?

Er... I guess so.

Can I ask something of you, or rather, of Rhodes Island?

Let's go to the Trimounts office. This isn't the best place to be talking.

Here, drink some water.

Thanks...

Well, if you ask me, it sounds like a little sisterly argument and that's all.

You don't understand. From what I divined today... she may be in trouble.

You're the one in trouble. You almost got hit by a car.

I'm fine.

You sure can be stubborn... just like my sister.

Older or younger?

Younger sister, at least biologically. I came to Trimounts because she's doing business with the charlat—I mean, astrologers.

A lot of the reserves are on vacation anyway. I had a bit of time on my hands, so I decided to come here and help out.

I see...

Do you get along well?

Well enough, but sometimes she gets a little bossy, or does things for me without asking me first.

You said she's your younger sister?

I said biologically. But she acts more like an older sister.

Thanks to her, business actually got better after my father left. Compare that to her vagabond older sister.

Don't say that. We're all grateful to you for teaching us how to survive. I still remember how you sent me flying with one swing of your sword.

I was new on the job then. When I saw you waving your blade around like a feather duster without actually striking... ah, no sense bringing that up.

You want the Trimounts office to help you look for Astgenne, right?

There's a few scouts around who don't have anything to do right now. You can give them a list of places your sister is likely to go to. They'll be happy to help.