In Search of Home

Chapter 64

Vok'Rul wanted to speak with the 'mind sickness' specialist before they left. Viktor was against the idea wholeheartedly. He wasn't sick. And if he were, he certainly wouldn't need any help with it.

But, something stupid in his head thought, it would be nice to sleep through most of the week without a nightmare. And be able to go out in public without jumping in fright from familiar noises. Ugh. 

Reluctantly, Viktor shoved the translator back into his ear when Vok'Rul met the specialist. He knew they were going to be speaking about him and was less than enthused about the idea of not knowing what they were talking about. 

"Greetings, O Vokkra," the specialist said respectfully, bowing at the waist. She straightened, eyes jumping to Viktor. They were bright blue, contrasting against the pale red hue of her skin. "And this is Kohgrash? He is featured on the holo quite a bit. 'Saviour of our Vokkra', they call him," she said with an amused air. 

"Saviour, huh?" Viktor preened, squirming out of Vok'Rul's grasp to walk beside him. They were in a quiet section of the zoo now, over by some offices and such. 

"You will give him an ego larger than a Chorsl," Vok'Rul said with amusement, holding Viktor's leash lightly in his hand. "I was told you are this establishment's mind sickness specialist." 

"Yes, Kr'kca told me you were interested in speaking with me. I must say that it is quite the honor, Your Highness," she bowed again. "My name is Frosh'lm-" Viktor blinked in bewilderment "-what can I help you with?" 

"Hello, Frosh'lm," Vok'Rul said kindly as they were led into what seemed to be her office. It was cramped, especially with Vok'Rul the Tall Bastard in there, but it was cozy. It was filled with all sorts of things Viktor had never seen before. He tuned out the two talking aliens, more interested in peering around at all her stuff instead. 

In the center of the room sat a small desk. There was an even smaller computer on it, competing for space with some stacks of papers. Frosh'lm circled around the desk, her small tail brushing against some of the shelves that lined the walls. They were filled with books - books! Viktor had never seen so many - and some figures which seemed to be made of glass. Animals that he had seen scattered throughout the zoo were in frightening positions. Wings spread, claws and teeth bared, hunched over - Viktor couldn't see one passive figurine. It made him a little nervous.

Vok'Rul and Frosh'lm sat opposite each other, one on either side of the desk. Vok'Rul's tail nearly spanned the entire room, and he had to tuck it close in order to not brush up against anything. 

"You are concerned that Kohgrash has mind sickness?" Frosh'lm was asking. 

"I do not," Viktor protested, tuning back into the conversation. "I don't know what you're gonna accomplish here. I'm not an animal." Annoyed and still upset about leaving his dad in such a state, Viktor glared up at Vok'Rul sullenly. 

"Your mammal is quite the chatty one," Frosh'lm observed, leaning over her desk to smile at Viktor. He bared his teeth threateningly in response. 

"Enough of that, Kohgrash," Vok'Rul scolded, lifting his tail to push Viktor closer to himself. His irritation spiked. 

"Enough of you, more like," he grumbled, pushing the tail away. It thumped onto the floor. 

"Yes," Vok'Rul said, answering Flosh'lm's question and ignoring Viktor. "However, I know he has mind sickness. It is very evident in everything he does. He is very wary of new Vokkrus, as you have surely noticed, and there are certain things that upset him and throw him back to his previous home. He was not treated very kindly by his previous owners."