In Search of Home

Chapter 65

If there was anything to be said about these aliens - the Vokkrus, Viktor reminded himself - it was that they were efficient.

About ten odd days after Vok'Rul and he had gone to the building to finalize plans, Rukka came into Vok'Rul's office to tell him that the festival was tomorrow and to not forget about it this year, or else.

Viktor, who had been peacefully eating his breakfast, had watched this exchange with gleeful amusement. Rukka had spared him a cursory glance, crouching just slightly to brush her claws against his hair. After threatening Vok'Rul, she took her leave just as quickly as she had come in.

Vok'Rul was stunned into silence, and Viktor couldn't help but say, "You totally forgot, didn't you?"

There was a thump and a groan as Vok'Rul's head connected with his desk. "No," he lied.

Strangely, though, Viktor was getting all excited about this festival. Sure, he was still nervous about it - anything could happen there, after all. There were going to be a lot of unfamiliar aliens likely clamoring for Vok'Rul's attention. Since humans were allowed, it likely meant that other animals were allowed, too, which meant that Viktor would likely face a few of Oorah's species. While Viktor was slowly getting better at not reacting to certain things, Vok'Rul hadn't had the chance to desensitize him to other animals.

But, the most important thing, was that there'd be other people there! Viktor hoped he could get over his issues enough to meet some more people. The only regular contact he had with someone was Pedro. At least, now with the translators working, he could speak with Vok'Rul. But it was still lonely, sometimes.

"What time does it start? How long does it last? Is it a multiple day thing? Can we go every day?" Viktor abandoned his dish of jerky - he was craving fruit anyway - to walk over to Vok'Rul, patting his arm as he peppered the alien with questions. He was still cradling his head in his arms on the desk.

"Kohgrash," Vok'Rul began, mumbling into the wood of his desk. "My adorable little Kohgrash, I adore you, you know. You are by far the best little human I've encountered."

"Uh-huh," Viktor said slowly, squinting at him. He shook his arm again. "You gonna answer me?"

"It's so early, Kohgrash," Vok'Rul complained. "Let me answer questions after breakfast."

"You eat breakfast in like, the middle of the day," he bemoaned. Vok'Rul moved his arm to pat Viktor's head sympathetically.

"Exactly."

Sometimes Viktor wished he couldn't talk to Vok'Rul. He figured the alien might be less annoying.

During breakfast, which took way too long to get started, Vok'Rul finally answered some of his questions. It helped that Thruul dished him some of that meat to tide him over, likely noticing his less-than-enthused expression throughout the entire affair.

"So?" Viktor needled, climbing onto one of the chairs and staring at Vok'Rul imploringly. "Answer my questions now?"

"What's he sayin'?" Thruul asked curiously, tilting his head at Viktor. Viktor squinted at him. He was eating a bowl of whatever soup he had made, settled on the chair by Vok'Rul's right side.

"None of your business," he told the alien.

"I thought you liked Thruul, now," Vok'Rul chided him, shoveling another spoonful of soup into his mouth.

"He doesn't like me?" Thruul's tone was sad, which made Viktor squirm with guilt.

"I do!" he hastened to reassure the alien. He reached across the table to pat his arm (which was a little awkward, considering the table was huge. Viktor had to throw over half his body across it to reach him). Thruul beamed.