“How are you feeling today?”
Arkay shrugged, not feeling anything in particular. These little therapy lessons were somewhat weird normally, but today’s meeting was somewhat new.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Hm…” Arkay muttered. “I guess I slept well.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. At least I think I did. I set a timer on that white noise rain thing you gave me. Fell asleep before it automatically turned off. Same with the air conditioner.”
Vikalos smiled. “That is very good news. And, speaking of good news, because of your progress, we will be expanding facilities for you. Part of this progress is pseudo-home sharing.”
“What does that mean?” Arkay tilted his head to one side, looking confused. “Sharing? But not sharing?”
The Elder Decay Lord smiled some more, then pulled up several sheets of paper and pushed them across the table to Arkay. On the papers were various house types, with a long glass window along one of the main walls.
“Pseudo-home sharing means you will be living in a home on your own, but also sharing with someone else. These homes are two separate spaces, but with a glass wall through which you can speak to each other. Bedrooms, bathrooms are enclosed, private spaces, but the living room is somewhat shared.”
“Huh…” Arkay fell silent. The idea of his own personal home, his own little apartment, sounded like a great idea. His current living space was okay but it was a bit small and lacked privacy. However, there was a big unknown with the windowed area. “You say I will be sharing with someone? Do I get to pick?”
“Unfortunately, no. We tend to pair beings together who have similar issues, so you can communicate and relate with each other. You have your private space whenever you need it, but the pseudo-sharing means you can regain some social skills.”
“Have you…” Arkay frowned a bit. “Have you, like, chosen someone?”
Vikalos leaned forward. “Not yet. This is where the… not as good news comes in. Excluding you, we are at an odd number pseudo-sharing candidates, pretty much all our patients are paired up, aside from you and one other. While, normally, the situation is work-able, but… well, you happen to know the individual that you may or may not be paired with.”
“I know them?”
“Yes. Would you me to tell you who it is?”
Arkay hesitated, then nodded. “I would like to know.”
“Very well…” Vikalos lowered his voice, leaning even closer towards Arkay. “The individual is Kalis, a Decayling you have had… altercations with.” Vikalos paused, then pulled out several more sheets of paper, which he handed to Arkay. “I have given you some of the apology messages Kalis has written. But if you do not want to pseudo-share with Kalis, then I will completely understand.”
The little yellow Decay Lord scanned the sheets of paper, then looked back at Vikalos.
“Is this true? That Kalis was afflicted with Voidborn residue and brain-washing?”
Vikalos nodded. “Really, Galyn should have sent Kalis to us straight away, since the Voidborn residue was genuinely making very ill. Now that he is free from that influence, he is genuinely sorry for what he did to you. But this is your decision, we will do whatever you want and need, to keep you safe.”
Arkay hesitated, re-read the letters, then hesitated some more. They all… reminded Arkay of something. It took Arkay a moment to realize what it was: the letter were exactly like the ones Arkay had written to Retvik. And just like Arkay had said in his own letters, Kalis had written that he could never forgive himself. It was genuinely rather eerie to see how similar they were.
“Can I ask a question?”
“Of course!”
Arkay stuttered for a moment, then sighed. “Can I speak to Kalis? Face to face? I’d like to speak to him before I make a decision.”
Vikalos bowed slightly. “Very well. I can arrange this for you. Is there a specific time you would like?”
“I’m not really fussed, sooner would be better than later.”
“I will schedule the meeting in a couple of hours, as Kalis is in a session currently. You will both be placed in separate rooms, with a tele-connection between you. Is this alright?”
Arkay nodded, feeling rather conflicted. “Yes, thank you…”