“Oh, hello Gath, what an unexpected… surprise…”
Rethais’s greeting towards the hulking Rethan was far less malicious than Gath had expected. He had walked into this office expecting nothing but coldness from the Vice General, but no, Rethais seemed rather calm so far.
“Hello, General Rethais. Are you busy right now?”
The glimmering gold and red Rethan glanced at a digital calendar on his desk, shaking his head. “No. If I was busy, I am sure Captain Pretar outside would not have let you in. You though, you look like something is bothering you.”
Gath grunted as he wandered deeper into the office. He had been in Rethais’s office in the past, but he recalled it being far more fancy. This office was rather plain and boring. No different from a standard secretarial office space.
“Come, come and sit down. Would you like some water?”
“Yes please…” Gath sighed. The stools in this room were just about big enough for Gath, which made a change. Most places tended to cheapen out and use smaller chairs, never large enough for Gath’s massive form. “You seem well.”
“I am doing alright, all things considered. I no longer have Kenon breathing down my back plating and have actually been able to do some good. What have you been up to lately?”
Gath closed his eyes, accepting the drink Rethais had brought him. He downed it quickly, unwittingly unveiling his nervousness. “Guard duty. Same as always. Defending a port city is always hard work.”
“That is not why you are here though, correct?”
“Correct. I am here because… well… I never properly said goodbye to Retvik. Over the last few days, I have felt… like a fog has been lifted from my mind, and everything feels wrong. And one of the… worse things I did was just moving on without really saying goodbye. Which feels wrong considering how… well, Talmin and I will be having a kid soon.”
“Ah… I see…” Rethais frowned, but quickly started smiling again. “Congratulations on the kid. Are you alright?”
“No. I am the mother. And that has caused these emotions to well up inside me. I cannot help but think Retvik would be angry at me.”
Rethais couldn’t help but abruptly laugh. “Retvik? Angry with you? No, that is not possible. There is no way what so ever that Retvik would be angry with you. He would be happy that you are happy. You always wanted a kid and now you can have one.”
“I… I do not-”
“Listen, Gath. I have known you for a long time. Retvik fell in love with you for a reason, and that reason is that you are a good vok. But more importantly, Retvik has always been a very understanding person who has only ever wanted what is best for you.”
“I… I guess…” Gath paused. “He is not dead, is he? I read in the news about the Dessaron statue the High General is commissioning, but… well… everything has been a mess… I was barely over Retvik being declared dead the first seven billion times…”
“Understandable.”
Gath sighed, helping himself to more water. “You… really think he would not be angry?”
“Of course. My question is, is there anything I can do to help you?”
With a tut, Gath shook his head. “No. I will be fine. Aside from these uneasy thoughts… well, I have always wanted a kid, and now I will finally have one.”
Rethais calmly smiled. “I am glad to hear that. If there is anything you need, you let me know, alright? And you are welcome to visit, any time you want.”
“I will. Thank you.”