It had been a quiet day at the main government offices of Palaestra. Quiet enough that Retvik and Gath were able to have lunch together in peace. It turned out that, because of the recent bad weather across Portalia, a lot of the local Thanatians had decided to hibernate for the winter. That meant that, right now, a large chunk of the population of Palaestra was asleep. On top of that, another large chunk of local Thanatians were only working during daylight hours, which meant that everything opened at 8am and was shut at 4pm when the sun had set.
Since everyone was shut, Gath had decided to treat Retvik to a bottle of blood wine and some aloga meat skewers. There was a nice balcony overlooking the Dessaron Arena and it was the perfect spot to have a late lunch and watch everyone else go home.
“Thank you for this…” Retvik grunted as he took a bite out of the chunk of meat on his skewer. Thanatians were never skimpy on their portions and the two servings they had were huge.
“No worries, my dear!” Gath had been smiling all morning. He’d had the pleasure of watching a school play, a cooperative story between a local Thanatian nest club and a Cassid nursery school. “I have hardly done anything, while you have been in the office arranging extra power quotas for the upcoming winter months. You need a break.”
“We will have a break. The problem is organizing this switchover for Phovos and getting it done this week…” Retvik sighed. “I never planned for this to be long term…”
“Neither did I,” Gath admitted, “but it really has not been that bad, has it? Stressful at times, yes, but we have done well here. And soon we can go back to, well, whatever job we please. Perhaps I will go back to running an arena team…” Gath paused, took a bite out of his skewer, then started talking again. “Do you ever find it odd that the Dessaron Battle Arena is named after you and your little friends?”
“Yes, I find it very odd…” Retvik sighed. “Really, it is a constant reminder of pain. But I do not allow myself to put up with said pain. There is plenty more pain elsewhere to be had.”
Gath nodded in agreement, then changed the subject. He wanted this meal to be relaxing, not stressful. “Have you considered what you want to do for Macromera this year?”
“Huh…” Clearly, Retvik hadn’t even begun to think about it. “No. I have no clue. Almost forgot it was Dec…”
“I was wondering whether you wanted to invite some friends and family round.”
Retvik sighed. “I would like to. Maybe I could speak to Rethais, see him and his kids. Last year was very pleasant with General Elkay, and…”
Something buzzed. Retvik’s communicator was ringing. Gath glanced at him, silently asking who it was. Retvik didn’t answer and instead picked up the call, putting a small wireless receiver to his ear hole.
“Hello, High General.”
Gath blinked with surprise. He knew it was all coincidence, but still, the chances weren’t that great. After all, General Elkay was a very busy Rethan.
“I am currently preoccupied currently… You want to speak to me in private? Do you… No, I do not think… Very well. On this, I assume?” Retvik paused for a moment, realising that Gath was trying to talk to him too. “What is it, Gath?”
“Ask him if he wants to come over…” Gath giggled.
“General Elkay, Gath asks if you wish to come over to our home for one of the days of Macromera… Mhm… Very well. Yes, we should be free, then. Understood. I shall call you later when I am in private so we can discuss these other issues… Thank you, General Elkay. Have a nice day.”
Retvik waited for the connection to close, then took a bite out of his meal. Gath waited with anticipation as Retvik slowly chewed and swallowed.
“So?”
“The High General has plans, but would like to invite us to a private evening on the 31st of the month for a new year’s celebration.”
“And the other stuff?”
“Private things. Dessaron things.”
Gath sighed, then decided to pour Retvik and himself a drink. “Still, you have not told me what you want to do this year.”
Retvik finished his meal, then took a sip of wine. “I think… I think we need something small… Something quiet. Maybe just have one day to ourselves?”
“How about we have two days?”
“And invite everyvok round for our big meal? Elksia and Vel, Kohgrah, Tenuk, Kass and little Psiksi?” Retvik smiled a little. “We always cook too much as it is…”
“If that is what you want, my dear…” Gath grinned as he wrapped his arms around Retvik, “that is what we shall do…”