The little click had made Retvik suspicious. He had been walking by a heavily barred window when it happened. Retvik had to investigate what it was, because the noise that followed sounded suspiciously like a window being slid open.
“You are not trying to escape, are you?” Retvik asked as he spotted a yellow-plated snout peering through the metal bars.
“No. I wanted to talk to you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re still here.”
Arkadin wrapped his claws around the bars, gripping them tightly. Both he and Retvik knew that the bars didn’t really do anything. If he wanted to, Arkadin could cause the metal to rust and decay, to literally turn to dust. If he wanted to escape, he would have already.
“Of course I am here. I have a job to do. Being a guard and… persuading you not to run.”
“Yeah, I get that…” Arkadin trailed off. “But isn’t it Veeayelen’s Day?”
Retvik blinked. “Uh, no.”
“What day is it?”
“Thirteenth of the Second. Also, you are thinking of a Skyavok holiday.”
“Is Psiksi working?”
“Yes.”
“He shouldn’t be.”
Retvik wasn’t sure where this conversation was going. “What are you talking about, Arkadin?”
Arkadin let go of the bar, tutting. “You don’t call me Arkay any more and that makes me sad. I mean, I know why and I get it, but I like being called Arkay. Makes me feel less… deathy. But anyway, my point is that it’s some sort of dumb holiday for couples to spend time together, particularly for Skyans, and you and Psiksi are here doing stuff for my mum rather than being at home fucking your partners.”
Retvik frowned. Arkadin tutted and continued monologuing.
“And don’t pull a face because I spent like ten years living with you and you’d go off to Gath’s every weekend to do exactly that. I’m not judging. It’s what you’re all meant to do. Yes, maybe I’m feeling a little bit lonely and self-loathing right now but that doesn’t mean I should be holding you back from the vok you love.”
Arkadin paused for breath. “Actually, if I’m really honest, I’m feeling insanely lonely and, if any of you were willing, I’d totally say yes to a date. Except for Talok. Because he’s essentially a child. Actually, maybe the Kronospasts as well. I once had to deal with, back when the Kronospasts were slightly more normal, a massive massacre inside a Kronospas orgy-house and was rudely awoken to just how horrible Kronospasts are when they’re not shapeshifted into something more palateable…”
Another pause. “I’m sorry, Retvik. Kinisis gave me something to calm me down and now I’m rambling. Like, really badly. But seriously, I’m going to insist that you and Psiksi head home. Like right now. Same with any of the others who have partners. I don’t know if Levik was sleeping with his Vahyra Queens, but they probably miss him too.”
Retvik sighed as Arkadin’s rambles finally began to slow down. “You know I cannot-”
“Uh no, I’m not taking that!” Arkadin immediately started talking again. “There’s fucking twelve of you. You only need four people, one to run the security cameras, two outside and one vok to make sure I don’t choke on my own drool. You can have one night with your dear Gath. Or two nights. Or three. Whatever.”
Arkadin trailed off. Retvik watched as his claws slid down the bars.
“Are you falling asleep?”
“I think so. Kinisis supplies the food and drink you give me and laces it full of horrible things that are completely ineffective on mortals. Probably gets them from Yisini as well. Makes me think and feel weird things and it only goes away when I’m asleep. But I don’t want to talk about me. I want you all to do mortal things and spend time with your partners.”
“What if-”
“Fuck Kinisis. If she complains, make up some shit about how I threatened your families and you needed to clear your head and make sure everyone was safe.”
“Or…” Retvik grunted. “Or I could just tell her the truth, that I need to see my beloved Gath and Psiksi needs to spend time with Kayess-En.”
Arkadin’s grip slipped again. “Eh, whatever. Frankly me threatening you would be considered in-character to her, so you say what you think is best. I’m going back to bed.”
Retvik sighed. Part of him felt sorry for Arkadin. But both he and Arkadin understood why he was there.
“Very well. Thank you.”
There was no reply. Arkadin had already fallen asleep.