Questions and Compliments

Litvir grunted, idly daydreaming, not really paying attention to the world around him. He was supposed to have been watching various scanners and trackers, keeping an eye out for any stray messages or distress signals. But Litvir currently had a lot on his mind right now, too busy worrying about himself. Sometimes, Litvir’s past got to him, and the fact that he was out here, in the depths of a never-ending void, flying between universes, it was all rather unsettling.

What Litvir needed was a distraction. Thankfully, as a heavy hand rested on his shoulder, he was about to get the distraction he craved. But Litvir wasn’t really in the mood to chat either.

“Are you well, Litvir?” Retvik asked, pulling up a chair and sitting down next to him.

“Physically, I am fine…” Litvir decided to be direct. “Emotionally, I am confused and frustrated, but mostly tired. It seems we only have short breaks of peace between our… misadventures.”

“Oh…” Retvik shrunk in his seat a little. “Well… I am sorry for trying to kill you. I truly did not want to.”

Litvir shrugged. “I know. Mind-control is a very messy thing. I harbour no blame towards you or what happened.”

“I feel bad though.”

“Was not your fault.”

“Still…” Retvik frowned. “I feel bad. More so because, well, what I came here to ask was not… the most polite of things…”

Litvir blinked, turning to Retvik proper. “What were you going to ask?”

“I wanted to ask if anything was going on between you and Arkay.”

“Like…” Litvir stuttered, not really sure what Retvik was asking. “Like, romantically?”

“No, just in general.”

“Like, arguments or something?”

Retvik shrugged. “No, just… general conversations or anything like that.”

“Is this because I called Arkay pretty?”

It was Retvik’s turn to blink. “Uh, no? I asked because he has been a bit… skittery over the last few hours, as if he is very anxious. I just wonder if you have said or done anything with him.”

Litvir grunted. “That sounds rather accusatory of you.”

“I do not mean it in an accusatory way. You are being very defensive though…” Retvik grunted back. “More defensive than usual.”

Litvir sighed, leaning back in his seat, not looking at Retvik directly. “He did genuinely really look pretty. Very feminine. More… almost as if that is how he should have always looked. Would never say that to Arkay’s face though, because I understand that he does not want to acknowledge that side of him. He is pretty as he is, but he was even prettier when he was dressed up.”

“Hm. Maybe you should tell him he is pretty in general?” Retvik shrugged. “We all love compliments. Arkay loves them as well but does not know how to take them. Actually, now I think about it, that might be why he disappeared. He did not know how to take that compliment.”

“You think I should go and speak to him?” Litvir asked.

Retvik thought for a moment, then nodded. “Yes. You are better at, well, articulating your words, than I am. Normally better at giving compliments too.”

Litvir sat up, realising that Retvik was correct. “You know what? You are right. I will speak to him.”

“Want me to cover for you?”

“Oh…” Litvir’s gaze returned to the scanners and equipment. “Eh, no. I will finish my shift here, then speak to Arkay… It is probably better to finish one job before starting another…”