Elkay nearly dropped his bags in surprise as Teekay led him up towards his little home.
“It is… so small…”
Teekay stared at Elkay. “What do you mean?”
“Your home is tiny.”
“Yes, so?” Teekay ignored Elkay’s confusion and started unloading boxes from his equally small ship. It had been a quiet and awkward ride, especially since they’d had to stop at a public bathhouse on the way. Something had set Elkay off, causing him to get somewhat slimy. Elkay had been thoroughly embarrassed about it all and that embarrassment hadn’t worn off yet.
“You are the former leader of the K-Class Ksa and you essentially live in squalor!” Elkay protested, waving his hands at it all. “This little place-”
“Is not my real home. Somevok… firebombed my actual home. This is temporary accommodation.”
The Rethan blinked in confusion. Teekay regularly forgot that Elkay was not a Skyan in any way. He may have looked slightly Skyan, but he was the former leader of the Rethavok, of course he wasn’t going to be closely following the politics of an admittedly rather minor species.
“Why would someone burn your home down?” Elkay asked, feeling awful about having been so surprised. “You have always been a loyal public servant, have you not?”
Teekay tutted as he carried several boxes towards the front door. “Most Skyans do not care what you believe in. But the 1% who do care, well, they are fanatical when it comes to telling you what you should not believe in…”
“I take it somevok was not happy…”
Teekay hesitated, then nodded. “I had planned to return to my duties with the K-Class. I involuntarily stepped down, realising that a threat to me was a needless risk to the All-Ksa.”
After a brief sigh, Teekay fumbled around for his keys and opened the door. The house inside was completely empty, apart from some basic furniture and kitchen appliances. It otherwise consisted of a single room with a small bathroom tucked away to one side. A fridge hummed in the corner, but everything else was silent.
“Oh. I forgot what Skyan homes were like…” Elkay muttered. “You do not even have a separate bedroom…”
“It is fine!” Teekay tried to not sound too upset. “It will do for now. Until the investigation and insurance claims are all filled and I can apply for a new permanent residence.”
Elkay glanced at Teekay, then helped him bring boxes inside. Teekay didn’t bother unpacking anything apart from a large bag full of pillows and cushions. He shoved them all in the empty corner of the room, making himself a rather traditional Skyan bed.
“I forgot you all just slept on piles of pillows as well…” Elkay muttered some more. With a small tut, Elkay decided to start unpacking the food box and put things in the fridge and freezer. But as soon as he started, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“Are you alright, Elkay?” Teekay asked. “You seem incredibly uncomfortable.”
“I am, actually. I feel embarrassed about my situation and I feel even more embarrassed having to rely on you. Especially when it comes to basic things such as food. My current situation… makes me a stupid, ravenous beast… And sharing a home with you is only going to make me feel worse.”
“It is only temporary though.”
“That does not make me feel any better.”
Teekay grunted, not knowing what else to say. “Would you, uh, like something to eat?”
Elkay hesitated, then nodded. “I would…”
Teekay smiled, clapping his hands together. “Good. Help me get everything inside, I know some local take-outs that you will love.”