Products for Predators - side stories (2/2)
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Part 3
An aged Venlil lay in bed, the sheets drawn tight around his frail form. His once soot-black wool had faded to a smoky grey, thinning in places he would rather it not. Still, he refused to grow it out to hide it. He had worn a short coat all his life. A matter of pride, of discipline, and of camaraderie among those who bore the flamer.
Time had bowed him. His knees worn to a stubborn ache, his back permanently bent from cycles hauling fuel through smoke and cinder. Still, it was a mark of pride which he carried without complaint.
He had protected the herd.
Or so he had believed.
As flame turned to ash, so time pressed ever forward, threatening to leave everything behind.
The world had changed, or so he had heard. Predators as allies. Predators in the streets.
In schools with the pups. In hospitals with the weak and dying.
Sacrilege.
An affront to the herd and its safety.
He would have spat in contempt, had his mouth not been so dry.
But his outrage found no audience. His service earned no encore. His day had waned, with only the night awaiting him.
So here he lay, his fire slowly fading.
He had nothing left to lose.
And with that, a final ember stirred in his heart.
There was a program for those in his position. With a simple request, he could summon one of these esteemed predators into his room. The thought sent a shock of fear down his tail. He was defenceless. But he stilled himself.
He had made a living of placing himself between danger and the herd. Even if his fears were realised, it would be a noble death.
There came a knock at the door.
His ears pricked at the sound, his heart skipping. On reflex his eyes searched for a weapon, but found nothing. This was a hospital room after all.
He took a breath, stilling his trembling paws in his lap, and beckoned the Human in.
They entered slowly.
Tall and lanky, with a short tuft of sandy hair above a featureless, mirrored visor; and a shirt painted with colours reminiscent of a wild field of the dusk.
“Good paw, my name is Jonathan. How are you feeling today?”
Despite his expression being indiscernible, his gaze seemed to focus for a moment on the table to the Venlil’s side, and the prestige medal displayed upon it.
The Venlil let out a satisfied huff.
“Over fifty cycles in the service,” he whistled, paw reaching to caress the cold metal. “In the day and the night. Against shade stalkers and kelach.”
He drew in a wheezing breath, puffing himself up before gesturing at the predator's face. “You don’t need that thing.”
Reflections danced across the mirrored visor as Jonathan nodded, his hands moving to unclip it. He sat down before removing it fully, angling his gaze just to the left of the Venlil in bed.
“First exterminator to summon you, huh?” the Venlil chuckled.
“No,” Jonathan replied, placing the shield in his lap. “I’m happy to talk, that’s why I’m here. But I will leave if you become abusive.”
“Hmph,” the Venlil dismissed him with a flick of his ear. “I’m not so undisciplined.”
Jonathan smiled softly, keeping his mouth closed tight.
“Then we will have a pleasant time.”
The Venlil studied his new guest. Angular nose, small mouth, blue eyes. Not dissimilar to those he had seen on the news. But this one was closer.
“You can look directly at me,” the Venlil prompted.
Jonathan complied, slowly shifting his gaze to meet him.
“Obedient, aren’t you?” the Venlil whistled.
The Human’s shoulders shook with a chuckle.
“And you’re quite commanding. I can see how you got the medal.”
The Venlil’s ears pricked up at the unexpected praise.
“Silver tongue too. I see how you managed to turn that dumb pup, Tarva.”
Jonathan shrugged.
“That’s just our ambassador. They’re trained for that, I think. Don’t expect so much from me.”
“Hmph.” The Venlil sank into bed, though he kept his favoured eye fixed on his guest.
“Why are you doing this? Why did you come here?” he asked.
“You asked for me.”
The Venlil flicked his ear in irritation.
“That's not what I meant, predator.”
The Human smiled softly.
“My name is Jonathan. And may I ask yours?”
The Venlil stared for a moment.
“Kichek.”
“Well, Kichek.” Jonathan leaned back. “To answer your question. I like talking to people like you.”
“You desire to be around death?”
“I- hm… I don't.” The Human ran his hand through his hair, gaze drifting. “I think I need to make peace with it though. It’s been all too close lately.”
“Closer to some than others,” the Venlil chuckled.
“Yes.” Jonathan smiled softly at Kichek. “How do you feel about that?”
The Venlil’s ears rotated as he thought.
“I have used my life well, so I have no regrets.” He flicked his ears forwards emphatically. “Though I fear for my people. They’re stumbling into the night.”
“Because of us?” Jonathan asked softly.
“You predators…” The Venlil scratched at his arm where his fur had failed. “I cannot deny that you are unexpected. You’re not the monster I know. You build a society. You enter into ours.”
His eyes hardened.
“That makes you worse.”
“Because we’ll get hungry?”
“You’ll make us weak.”
Jonathan snorted a laugh, earning a glare from Kichek.
“Sorry,” he said, covering his mouth. “I don’t think we’re capable of that.”
“You don’t know the damage you are doing,” the Venlil said, measured. “That, at least, is familiar.”
Jonathan’s smile faded.
“You think we are harming you?”
“I know you are.” The Venlil didn’t blink, his eyes fixed on his guest.
“How?” Jonathan lowered his voice, matching Kichek’s tone.
Kichek took a weary breath.
“I’ve heard the news. Our planet. Once called Skalga.” He whistled a shallow laugh.
“Fitting. We live in hostile lands. A concept I’m sure you understand."
“That is a pretty metal name,” Jonathan agreed. “And yeah, I know the weather gets a bit nasty further from the ring.”
“Not just the climate. There are monsters that hunt, both here and in space. Infection within us that disrupt the herd. We know the threats.”
His voice strengthened.
“And we know what happens when we fail to stand against them.”
He fixed Jonathan with a steely eye.
“But now, everything is second guessed. You come here, and force us to dismantle that which kept us safe for millenia.”
His claws pressed into his palm.
“You, who welcomed the very Arxur into your homes, have the gall to lecture us on what we should do.”
His voice dropped.
“And worst of all, the foolish pups listen.”
Kichek looked at his paws, noticing the marks his claws had left. He drew in a careful breath, then slowly flexed them open.
Jonathan nodded slowly.
“It’s a frightening thing,” he said quietly.
Kichek’s ears twitched.
“Dark times ahead,” he flicked them forward.
“Hm.” The corners of Jonathan’s mouth lifted slightly. “I’m less sure about that.”
“Hmph,” Kichek huffed. “No surprise there.”
Jonathan turned his hands over in his lap, thinking.
“I do understand where you’re coming from,” he said after a moment. “Fearing taint and all that.”
Kichek’s ears angled towards him.
“Oh? And what do you fear, predator? You speak of taint as if you don't wallow in it.”
Jonathan gave a quiet huff of amusement.
“Believe it or not, I used to think we did. That we were…fallen. Corrupted. Bound for fire.”
Kichek leaned forward, ears pricking
“So you, too, believed you should be purged.”
“Not quite.” Jonathan shook his head. “We thought we deserved it.
He paused, scratching lightly at his hair.
“But we also believed we were redeemed. The cost of our taint already paid.”
Kichek’s ears flicked forward with certainty.
“With blood, no doubt.”
Jonathan winced.
“Yeah… at first. That’s how it was. A life for a life. Justice or something like it.”
He let out a short breath.
“Then it…uh…escalated into God sacrificing himself. Or his son. Depends on how you look at it.”
Kichek let out a dry, choked laugh.
“The hubris of predators. Sacrificing your own gods to save yourselves.”
“It made sense in context,” Jonathan said, defensively. Then shook his head. “But that's not the point.
The Venlil sank back into his pillows, faintly amused.
“I expected you to argue your merits, Human.”
His tail swayed faintly on the bed.
“Not confess your depravity.”
Jonathan rubbed his temples.
“I’m not trying to convince you,” he said. “I’m trying to show you I get it.”
He glanced up.
“We even referred to ourselves as a herd. Sheep, in our case.”
Kichek’s ears tilted in suspicion.
“So, are you going to claim you protected the herd as well?” He huffed. “That’s almost insulting.”
“In a way, yeah.” Jonathan shrugged. “And it was important to keep the herd not only safe, but on the right path. The world was dangerous. Against us. Full of things that would lead us astray… leave us vulnerable.”
Jonathan hesitated.
“I was afraid that if we accepted the wrong people. Relaxed our standards. Or tolerated taint. We’d fall. And everything would be lost.”
He let out a long breath, before meeting Kichek’s eye.
“Does that sound familiar?”
Kichek’s ears held forward in thought.
“You speak of maintaining purity,” he asked.
“And I speak of rejecting those who would behave…improperly.” Jonathan replied. “Those who become a stumbling block.”
Kichek shifted, bracing his paw against the bedding.
“That is where we differ, Human.”
His voice roughened.
“You reject those who do not follow your…principles.”
And his eyes hardened.
“I remove those who pose a threat.”
His claws pressed into the sheets.
“I ensure the herd remains strong. Unhesitating when danger stands before it.”
He fixed his gaze on Jonathan.
“That is what defines us. And why you being here is a mistake.“
Jonathan nodded softly.
“Because we threaten your unity?”
“Because you teach hesitation.” Kichek cut in.
His ears locked forward.
“It was never about purity. It’s about recognition.”
He leaned towards Jonathan.
“When the herd can no longer identify the predator in front of their very snout…”
He paused, drawing in a strained breath.
“Even if we accept you Humans, ignore what you are. What do you think happens when the next one comes?”
His gaze burned into Jonathan.
“And they don’t know what to do.”
Jonathan’s gaze dropped briefly to his shoes.
“You guys are truly primed for action, huh,” he mumbled, before looking back up.
A faint smile tugged at his mouth.
“I have been saved twice by Venlil, you know?”
He sat up straighter.
“The first was Tarva. You’re surely aware of that.”
“I’d rather she hadn’t.” Kichek grumbled.
“I’d gathered that,” Jonathan chuckled. “But we are here because of her.”
“The second was after. When I had no herd, no purpose. Having just watched my planet get bombed, a second Venlil did not hesitate either. She saw I was in trouble and pulled me to her side. And I’ll tell you something.”
He leaned forward.
“She was someone who I think both of us would have written off as tainted beyond reproach.” He gave a short breath of a laugh.
“At least I would have before.”
“Predator diseased?” Kichek offered.
“I’m not going to answer that,” he said, lifting his gaze.
“All I’ll say is this. I thought that people like her would be selfish. Weak. Lacking in morals. Lacking in drive. And I can almost guarantee you wouldn’t like her.”
His tone softened slightly.
“But I was in trouble, and she acted. No hesitation.”
His eyes flicked to the medal, and then back to Kichek.
“You know how hard your people fought. You’ve seen what they can do.”
“Against our long-term allies,” Kichek rebutted.
“But fierce,” Jonathan replied. “All the same.”
He exhaled.
“You’ve seen the news. The Federation fall. The Arxur retreat. The Venlil lead. That’s your herd, Kichek.”
He leaned forward.
“And I know for a fact there’s a woman out there who would be the first to step into danger if it meant protecting it.”
His grin returned.
“And I know there are many more like her.”
“Diseased for sure,” Kichek chuffed.
“She might actually take pride in that now.” Jonathan replied.
“She actually works with rescues from those facilities. And by God, she will fight like all hell should you threaten them.”
Kichek studied the sheets on his bed, then slowly raised his gaze again.
“I don't trust you.”
“I'm not asking you to trust me.”
Jonathan leaned back in his chair.
“But don't doubt your people, if you don't mind. I can assure you, the herd is in safe paws. Just as strong as yours.”
“Hmph,” Kichek deflated into his bed. “We shall see.”
“Be at peace, Kichek.”
The room descended into silence. After a long moment Kichek released a tired sigh.
“You may leave, Jonathan.” His eyes narrowed, suddenly weary. “Thank you for visiting me.”
“Any time, Kichek.”
“We won't see each other again,” the Venlil said firmly. “Once is quite enough.”
“Fair. It has been a pleasure to speak with you.” Jonathan stood up, replacing his visor. “I wish you all the best.”
The aged Venlil once again flicked his ears in acknowledgment, before turning away, wrapping the sheets tightly around himself as the Human left.
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Part 4
Tedium.
A black-wooled Venlil sat at a desk, two pads splayed next to a keyboard and screen, her ears tilted forward in forced concentration. Her tail flicked with irritation as she continued to read.
Tone deaf.
“Ugh…” she groaned. “What do you think you’re doing?”
On one pad she had the website of a local school as she scrolled through its mission statements. Then the staff. The map. The statement again.
It read as inclusive, making special effort to mention its willingness to accept Human, Gojid, and Krakotyl students — pending interview.
They were trying. She could see that.
In their own way, they were trying.
Then she flicked to their application.
>Good paw.
>We respect your mission in aiding both predators and the recently released diseased, and would like to offer our assistance. In response to the request for community outreach programs, we submit our services as an educational facility.
>While it is imperative that your residents are welcomed into the herd as they enter society, it is also true that, due to a variety of factors, they may lack certain standards of social etiquette that may serve as a bur in the wool during integration.
>We have staff and facilities dedicated to herd building behaviour and offer these freely for your consideration.
>Please contact us to discuss further.
Thank you,
>Bekril
Principal of Val-5 foundational school
Her paws massaged her crown; dull claws digging into her scalp as she took a deep breath.
With a resolute flick of her ears, she moved her paws to the keyboard.
>Dear Principal Bekril,
>Thank you for your interest in supporting our community integration program.
>At this time, we are managing psychological and social therapy in-house and are not seeking external partners for this area of care.
>However, we are interested in opportunities that allow our residents to engage with the local community in a supportive, non-corrective capacity. For example:
- Classes accommodating the specific needs of our residents.
- Music and art nights.
- Volunteer opportunities.
>Great emphasis is placed on involving our residents as they are, and supporting them as they rejoin the herd at their own pace. For further resources, I recommend **The Grafted Tree Project**, a charity that specialises in reintegration support and may be able to provide additional guidance.
>Again, thank you for your inquiry, it is greatly appreciated. I would be happy to discuss future partnership opportunities should your institution wish to explore alternative forms of community engagement.
>Kind regards,
Salva
Community Outreach Coordinator
Val-5 Center of Refuge and Rehabilitation.
She reread it for a fourth time, confident she had removed the venom from the previous drafts.
Professional.
Polite.
With a weary flick of satisfaction, she clicked Send, then opened up the next offer.
Unpaid internships for the recently released to build skills and contribute to the herd
“Get Brahked!” she swore at her screen.
Realising she had typed that into the reply, she let out a heavy sigh, hitting backspace.
>Dear, Speh-for-brains.
…Yeah. Break time.
Looking at the clock, it was almost the end of her shift. Stretching her paws, she walked to the vending machine near the foyer door and tapped her pad to it. She punched at the screen until, with a clunk, a can of sprunk dropped into the receptacle, and then quickly, into her paw.
“Just [12 more minutes],” she sighed, resting the cool can against her cheek. “Then fun time… I can do one more.”
Taking another sip, she meandered back towards the reception desk where she was set up. Just as she was about to collapse into the chair, the elevator door slid open. A tan Venlil exited, flicking his tail in muted greeting.
“Come to enjoy my suffering, Tavrik,” she groaned, returning it.
“Umm…” he eyed her set up, his tail briefly touching his own leg, before being forced into neutral. “I was hoping you’d come with me to check on a resident.” His ears flattened slightly at the request.
“Fuck yes!” She shoved off her chair, sending it slamming under the desk. Within seconds, her computer was logged off, and pads stowed in the drawer.
Head tilted back, she emptied the can before throwing it in the bin.
“I am going insane,” she whistled, a little more pep in her step.
“I don’t like the idea of you getting worse,” Tavrik quipped, a slight smirk to his lip.
“Well, I appreciate the rescue.” She tapped his tail with her own. “Though we gotta be quick. I got plans.”
“Going out?” he asked.
“No. Shooting.”
“Oh…” an ear flicked in mock irritation. “Don’t get us raided.”
“Brahk, Tavrik. That was one time. You can drop it now.”
“Or nearly kill someone,” he whistled.
“Brahk, Tavrik. That was one time,” she complained back.
“...Okay, twice… Stars, Gojid are fragile. So, what's the problem?”
His ears flattened again.
“A Venlil, Parva. Former facility inmate. Hasn’t been seen by anyone in a paw.”
Her ears flattened as well.
“That’s not good. They haven’t left?”
His ears flicked back.
“No one saw him go. Just need to check his apartment first. Though he didn’t respond to the bell.”
“Well, shid. I had plans, Tavrik!”
“I can get someone else. Or I can just take over if he’s…you know. I just don’t want to find him by myself.”
She pulled out her pad and opened the message app.
>S: Might be held up. Bring the green bag by the kitchen counter. Don’t look inside.
“I’m with you.” She groaned. “Hopefully just asleep, right?”
“Right.”
It wasn’t long before they stood before a door in a dim hallway, the door whistle sounding from within.
…
But no answer.
She rapped her knuckles against the door.
“Hey Parva! It’s Salva and Tavrik from reception. Are you okay?”
She pressed her ear against the door, but heard nothing.
“If you don’t answer, we’re going to come in and check on you, alright?”
Again she heard nothing.
She looked at Tavrik, dipping her ears.
“Here we go, I guess.”
She tapped her pad against the door lock, causing it to flash up a message.
>> This is a private residence. All access is strictly monitored.
> Reason for entry:
From a drop down menu, she selected: “Emergency - Welfare check”.
The pad flashed again, requesting her paw print, which she gave.
The door clicked as it unlocked.
Pushing the door open, they were greeted by a dark apartment with only slivers of light cutting through the blind.
“Hey, Parva!” Tavrik called out, moving towards the bedroom.
Salva approached the bathroom door, giving it a knock.
“Hey, Parva. I’m coming in, okay.”
She didn’t wait, opening the door.
In the bath was a soggy form of a grey Venlil, still, mouth just above the water.
“Brahk! Tavrik! Bathroom!” she shouted, seeing the Venlil's ears flinch at her voice.
“Hey, Parva. Sorry to interrupt, but we haven’t seen you in a while. Are you having a nice bath?” She moved towards him, crouching down. The water was cloudy, but thankfully held no trace of orange.
Tavrik arrived at the door, sighing a query with his tail. She signaled calm.
The sodden Venlil looked at her with a glassy eye.
“I…don’t want to go back… I’m scared.”
Salva gently gripped his shoulder.
“That’s okay, Parva, you ain’t going anywhere. Did you take any medicine recently?”
He turned to face her slightly.
“Just the…tablets…on the kitchen table.”
Tavrik left immediately.
“How many? More than usual?”
His ears flopped back.
“No… just one this paw. They said they’d make me feel better. But I was scared. I don’t like medicine.”
He began to shake. Salva moved a paw to support his face above the water.
“That’s okay. Are they making you sleepy? Or dizzy?”
“...I don’t know. I don’t want any more.”
Tavrik returned, holding a blister pack in his paws.
“Only one is missing, looks like he has enough for five paw. Standard anti-anxiety.”
“Might need something different.”
“Yeah, I’ll book him an urgent appointment when we’re done,” he said, flicking his ears forward.
She turned back to Parva.
“Well. If you don't want the tablets, then we won't have any more, okay?”
“I don't need to take them?”
“If they don't help you feel better, then you shouldn't. But we'll talk with your doctor first, okay?” Tavrik added.
The tension drained from Parva, letting him sink a little deeper into the bath.
“Did you not want to take the medicine?” Salva asked, stroking his shoulder.
His ears flapped back.
“I've…taken so many before…but these ones…I couldn't.”
His ears pinned to his head.
“But, I don't want to be scared any more. And they said they'd help with that a bit.”
“That's okay. It's not nice being scared, is it?”
“They said I was free now.” His paws covered his eyes. “I want to be free.”
“What makes you feel like you're not free?” She asked.
He sat still for a moment, thinking, before opening his mouth.
“I want to leave my room.”
He breathed.
“I want to go outside.”
“But every time I open the door. I don't.”
His body began to shake again.
“And I miss being safe…in the facility. But I don't want to. I hate that place. I want to be free.”
“So you took the medicine hoping it would let you leave?”
His ears flopped forward.
“And you were so brave, doing something despite the fear. But sometimes we need a little more help, and that's okay. So-”
She moved carefully down his arm, clasping his paw in her own.
“Let's get you clean, get you dry, and we can try stepping out the door together.”
He stares at his reflection in the murky water, before taking a shaky breath.
“Don't let me get taken again.”
“I won't. You're in a building full of angry Venlil and Humans. If you think you're scared, you should have seen the last exterminator who stepped foot in this place,” she whistles to herself.
“Salva, that's not as comforting as you make it sound,” Tavrik chastised as he tapped on his pad.
“Hey, he should at least be afraid of the right things. Like me, if someone threatens my pack!”
She turned back to the bath.
“And you're in my pack, Parva. You don't have to do anything. But I'll protect you. And not just me. That guy's pretty scary when he's angry too.” Her tail gestures at her colleague.
“Oi…” he placed his pad on a table before moving next to Salva. “But she's right. We'll be with you as far as you want to go. So let's get you out of the bath and go from there.”
Parva took several deep breaths.
“Okay…” he steadied himself with his hands on the side of the bath.
“I can get out by myself.”
The two Venlil took a step back as, with a grunt, Parva pushed himself up, water cascading from his short fur.
His arms shook as he rose, though with hesitant paws, he stepped out.
“I-I can dry myself too,” he spoke softly.
“Okay. We'll wait in the other room,” Salva signed >take care< and, following Tavrik, left the room and shut the door, leaning against the wall next to it. The sound of blowers soon started.
Tavrik tapped away at his pad as they waited.
“Good job, Tavrik.” Salva signed appreciation.
“Thank you for your help.” He returned the sign. “I’m glad it worked out okay.”
“Yeah,” she sighed, wearily. “Probably still need to do an incident report though…maaan!”
“Already done,” he waved his pad briefly before returning to typing. “Thought I’d start while it's fresh. You’re copied in.”
“MVV right here!” she bounced over, playfully swatting his side with her tail. “Thanks a lot!”
“Ow…” he whistled softly, though didn’t drop focus. “I’m thinking we’ll probably need to increase welfare checks for a bit. I’ve requested an urgent psychiatric appointment too… Don’t know if we can do much more…”
“I’ll invite him along to the shoot. Get him out and about…if he wants to ofcourse.”
Tavrik’s ears flicked back.
“You’re off the clock. Go have fun.”
“Eh, the more the merrier,” she whistled. “We already have Kayun’s gal as an audience, what's one more?”
His ears dropped slightly, before raising to neutral.
“Thankyou,” he murmured.
“Really laying it on thick today, huh.”
He hesitated briefly, before padding over and smacking her with his tail.
She burst out in laughter as he returned to his task.
The sound of the blowers ceased, and Parva soon emerged, his wool tended into a soft coat.
“Oooh, handsome,” Salva whistled. “You have a fine coat, sir.”
Parva’s ears pinned slightly, a slight bloom on his snout.
“Th-thankyou. I do try and take care of it. Honest.”
“It shows. Now, I’m about to meet up with some friends if you want to show it off to them.”
His tail began to coil around his leg.
“I- um… Not…I don’t-”
Salva padded up to him, placing a paw on his shoulder.
“Parva. I know it’s hard,” she said softly. “And I can tell them you’re having a challenging time too, so there’s no pressure. We’ll just go upstairs, show off the results of your wool care, then come back.”
She stepped back, giving him space.
“We’ll be shooting a video though, so if you want to watch, give us an audience, that’s great too. And then we can go from there.” She held out a paw.
“Let’s go outside. Together. Just one hallway and into another room.”
With a hesitant paw he reached out, gently placing it in Salva’s, who’s fingers closed over it.
“Lead the way, Tavrik!”
The tan Venlil looked between the two of them, before wordlessly turning and heading towards the door.
With measured footsteps, Salva followed after.
“No pausing, alright?” She squeezed his fingers. “Just stick with me.”
Parva weakly flicked his ears forward, his favoured eye on the approaching doorway, dim light spilling in from the hall.
Three steps. Two steps. One step.
And four paws crossed the threshold.
“And onward we go!” shouted Salva, picking up the pace, Tavrik padding beside.
“Have a good rest of paw, Tavrik!” she said, signing goodbye with her tail.
“You too, Salva.” He returned the flick before heading in the opposite direction.
Salva turned her attention to Parva.
“So, there’s going to be four others there. Two Gojid, a Venlil and a Human. I’ll introduce you, and then we can leave. Or you can sit and watch. Up to you.”
His ears flicked forward with a little more vigour.
“Thank you. This isn’t so hard, I think I’d like to stay. Maybe.”
“Great! We’ll be a bit loud, but you’ll have Shilobah as company. She’s a nice woman who recently moved from the cradle. I find her really grounding when I have bad days, so I don’t think you’ll have any trouble with her.”
“You have them too? Uh…bad days.”
“Sure! Sometimes angry. Sometimes I just cry. We’ve all been through a lot of speh recently, hey.”
“But…” he paused, tail wrapping around his leg. “I’ve been rescued. I know I should be happy.”
“Yeah, but now you have to heal, and that can be fucking agony. It doesn’t just go away.”
She pauses at a door, the lock beeping.
“But it gets better, especially when we have help. So, you ready?”
Parva shook his head, steadying his posture.
“Yes,” he states cleanly.
“Then let’s have some fun.”