Kalis sat down in the plastic chair, twiddling his thumbs anxiously. The table in front of him was split in two. Half of it was phased through a sheet of impact-proof plasti-glass, with an empty chair on the other side. This room was designed for “troubled Decay Lords”, hybrid beings with various medical issues, to be able to talk with their medics and carers and do so safely.
“Hello, Kalis, how are you feeling today?”
Vikalos was one such carer. He was apparently “middle-aged” and was quite a bit taller than Kalis, but aside from that, Kalis didn’t know much about him. All he knew was that Vikalos was an ally of the Decay Lords who saved his life. And Vikalos had done a lot to help Kalis. At the very least, Kalis could trust him.
“I’m… feeling anxious and I don’t know why.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
Kalis shook his head. The reason he was here was because Vikalos wanted him there. And Kalis just wanted to get this meeting over with, so he could get back to work. Like most of the troubled Decaylings here, Kalis worked a simple, part-time job, done electronically and remotely. It kept him occupied and distracted. Especially considering the amount of… medical work Kalis had needed since he arrived here.
“No. I want to get on with this.”
Vikalos simply nodded, acknowledging Kalis’s choice.
“Very well. I see you do not want to be here, so I will be quick. Simply put, we will be accepting a new troubled Decay Lord soon. However, this one is an entity you potentially know. I want to go through this with you, to make sure we avoid any potential problems.”
Kalis blinked. “Someone… I might know? I… I don’t know anyone…” He fell silent for a moment, then gasped. “Oh no… there’s only like, two beings this could be. Either Rethanius somehow returned from the dead or… Arkay is coming here?”
Vikalos nodded again. “You are correct, Arkay will be transferring to this facility.”
“That’s… bad. Really bad.” Kalis sank in his chair.
“Why do you think that, Kalis?”
“Him and I… we… I hurt him. I really hurt him. I owe Arkay my life for what he did for me and what I… did to him.”
Vikalos jotted something down on his notepad. “Would you mind… telling me what happened? If you are comfortable doing so.”
“Comfortable? I am fucking disgusted with what I did! I lost control! I let that festering evil out! I assaulted him! All because he didn’t want to sleep with me. I can’t even begin to explain how much I hate myself because I let all of that happen. If I could, if I met Arkay again and he wanted to kill me for what I did? I’d fucking let him because I deserve it.”
Vikalos continued to write things down, then looked up at Kalis. “Would you like to apologise to Arkay in person? Well, not in person, most likely with a separation between you both. Either way, I think you being able to explain what happened, explain to him that you were ill and that you regret your ways, it would be… relieving for both of you. Especially since you were tainted by Voidborn influences, something we are still trying to completely remove from you. Also, Arkay might appreciate an apology as well.”
“You think so?” Kalis asked.
“He might also try and kill you, but that is why we built these conversation rooms.”
Kalis grunted. “I’d be fine with Arkay killing me. I deserve it.”
“Well…” Vikalos tutted. “I am not allowed to let that happen. However, I will discuss this with Arkay as soon as he arrives, and we will go from there. Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”
Kalis thought for a moment, then shook his head. “No. I just want to go back to work.”
“Alright, I shall let you go. Have a good one.”
“Thank you, you too.”