8. Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Julie
"Hello, Julie! You're here with a friend, huh?"
I nod as another volunteer, Aldriana, in the shelter comes over the counter and greets us. She is also a human. She is an older woman who has already retired and she is here a lot. I say, "Yes, he'll be joining me today."
The shelter is a sprawling facility that buzzes with energy. It’s meticulously organized, with all kinds of animals enjoying their stay. I want to pat every single one of them. There are luminescent jelly-like beings that squish and bounce in their enclosures, while fluffy, furry things with extra eyes peer out from their corners, curious at me.
As I lead Vatok deeper into the shelter, his four arms shift from side to side, as if he’s unsure where best to put them. He scans the room, taking in the sight of wiggly tails and perky antennae, reminding me of a wary officer assessing a suspicious scene ready to unfold.
"Don't you like it here?" I'm practically bouncing on my heels, unable to contain my excitement. It’s a haven for animals. “You’re going to love it, I promise!”
Vatok lowers his head slightly, tilting it to one side as he observes a massive, fluffy creature. "I can see you love this place."
"I do, I'm here every week. I wish I could be here more, but you know the nature of my job."
He muses. "I suppose so."
We are finally at the counter. I shake hands with Aldriana. "I'm so happy to see you here. Anyone else in this time slot?"
She shakes her head. "it's just you and me, and now, with your friend too."
I elbow Vatok, who fixes his hair, but probably was trying to fix his cap, which he doesn't have. "Then I'm glad he's here. If we finish everything quickly, there'll be more time to play."
"Nice!"
Vatok grins, looking handsome as always. "Nice to meet you, I'm Vatok and I'm glad to be here."
I pat Vatok's arm. "Just tell him what to do. I think he'll be helpful with moving things around, something like that."
He nods with a smile so wide that his eyes almost disappear. Is he a big animal fan? I don't think so, but he seems to be so happy, so different from his usual self. I sniff at him, trying to be subtle with that.
He isn't drunk, but...
He pats his chest. "Yes, just tell me what to do."
Aldriana smiles and looks at both of us with a knowing eye. "Sure. If you don't mind, would you help me with moving some of the donated food for the animals? I was going to do it myself, but I think you can do it easier than I'd manage."
A stream of heat brews in my cheeks. Are we that obvious? Vatok looks at me, too, probably of the same mind. I shrug. "Good, I'll check the cages."
While they are called cages, those are where the animals sleep and feel safe. Everyone has their own spot and there's plenty of room for them.
Aldriana says, "The zebaba you brought in a while ago is with the dogs in the back room."
"Is he doing fine?"
"As fine as he can be." Her voice is fading as she is probably inside the storage room, but the smile in her words makes it to me regardless.
Oh... I can't wait to meet the poor little guy again.
And... he reminds me of how Vatok and I met outside of the bar for the first time and how... Now I wonder if that makes for a good impression or not. From the warmth in my stomach, as I think about him, I guess it's fine.
Aldriana and Vatok disappear into the storage room, giving me a moment to breathe in the joyful atmosphere of the shelter. The air is filled with soft barks, chirps, and the occasional splat of something jelly-like hitting the floor, causing me to giggle at the sight of an excitable luminescent creature bouncing across the tiles, content on making a mess. This place really does make me feel alive.
I walk past the partition boards that keep the animals away from each other, making mental notes on which sections need a refill of food and water. The animal hops onto the fences, some with their tongues out to greet me. I pat them and stroke their soft fur and oftentimes, their scales.
There are clink clanks in the storage room, where Vatok's in. Is he destroying things inside? He's a big guy and if I remember right, the storage room is a small place with narrow corridors between rows and rows of shelves. Is there enough room for his arms?
“Are you okay back there?” I call out teasingly.
“I’m fine,” he replies, though the slight tremor in his voice suggests otherwise. I head over to see him carrying an oversized fluffy creature. This one looks like an alien pom-pom. Vatok’s gaze flickers between the creature and the nearby cabinets filled with pet supplies.
“Just... trying to figure out how to hold this. I think this isn't supposed to be in the back. This should be... with its kind.”
The creature wriggles in his embrace, and for a split second, I can see the slight panic in his eyes as his four arms flail, desperate to keep the furry mass intact. Choking back laughter, I rush over to help him.
“Here, let me take its front legs,” I say, snatching the creature as Vatok regains his balance. The fluffball seems delighted by the attention and immediately starts licking my face, its wet tongue leaving squishy marks all over my cheek.
Vatok watches, amusement dancing in his eyes. “I thought they were supposed to be well-behaved."
I can’t help but chuckle. “What can I say? Animals have a knack for chaos.”
With me holding the excited fluff, Vatok tentatively reaches for the large bag of kibble on the shelf behind him, but as he shifts, his elbow nudges an array of squeaky toys that are stacked on the edge. The moment they begin to teeter, I watch in horror as one particularly bright pink toy bounces from the pile and lands squarely on his foot.
“Ah!” He yelps, and his foot jerks on instinct. In an instant, the squeaky toy activates, emitting a series of shrill, high-pitched squeaks that echo off the walls of the storage room like an alarm signal. The fluffball in my arms goes into a frenzy, wriggling so hard that I nearly lose my grip.
He leaps from my arms with more enthusiasm than I thought possible, rushing toward the source of the sound, which in this case, is Vatok.
“What? No! Come back!” I shout, trying to snag the creature again, but he's too busy bouncing around Vatok’s legs, yipping joyfully at the super squeaky toy like it’s the best thing since cocktail was invented.
The noise sends a ripple of excitement throughout the shelter. Though there are fences, those aren't that strong, and when the animals are all going wild... From every corner, drowsy animals join the chaos, their curious eyes fixating on Vatok in a frenzy of enthusiasm. A couple of jelly-like beings wiggle out of their area, bouncing like gelatinous spheres in a race to join the squeak parade.
Vatok tries to jump out of the way as the animals hurry to the toy, but his arms bump against the tray, sending more squeaky toys onto the floor.
Now the animals are even more excited. They surround Vatok who's in the center with toys scattered around him.
“Um, help!” Vatok’s voice comically mixes with the symphony of squeaks and howls. He tries to sidestep but ends up tripping over a small, lively dog that seems to have been waiting for this exact moment.
As he tumbles backward, I can’t help but burst into laughter, my usually serious kot'oll flailing with amusement like a fish out of water only amplifying the silliness.
“Hold on!” I rush forward, grabbing a furball just as it launches itself into the air, ready to take Vatok down. In my haste, I stumble too and we both end up collapsing onto a pile of soft blankets which are at the door of the storage room. These were probably donated by someone, still waiting to be sorted into the storage room. Now that we’ve stumbled and moved, we aren't as close to the toys as before. The toys are now surrounded by a whirlwind of dogs, fluff, and jelly-like creatures all clamoring to join the fun.
I can't contain my laughter as Vatok groans beside me, wide-eyed but eventually breaking into a chuckle himself. “This was not part of our duty. I hope I didn't mess up much."
I wiggle my way out from under the tangle of blankets, brushing stray hairs from my face. "Oh, absolutely not part of the task," I manage between fits of laughter, trying to catch my breath. The sight of Vatok, sprawled on the floor, surrounded by an enthusiastic mass of critters, is one for the books.
“Just how exactly do I get myself into these situations?” Vatok shakes his head, attempting to untangle his arms from a particularly excitable jelly-like being that has taken a liking to his ankle. The poor creature wobbles, almost toppling over in delight.
“Maybe it’s your magnetic charm.” I pat the fluffball next to me, getting her to leave. She bounds off to join the party around the toys, giving us some room to breathe.
“Magnetic charm? I don’t think that’s what started the toy.” He tries to maintain his composure as a small dog-like creature nips playfully at the hem of his pants.
"Regardless, the animals love you."
"No, it's about the toys."
Just then, the fluffball decides to jump back onto Vatok’s lap, even as the toys are calming down and so are the animals. Vatok's brows furrow in mock exasperation.
I laugh and pat that one too. "It's not just about the toys."
Aldriana reappears at the doorway, arms crossed gently, a broad smile spreading across her face at the sight. “I see you two have made fast friends!”
“Is this part of the volunteering thing? Am I banned from the shelter?” Vatok asks, half-serious as he bobs and weaves among the flurry of fluff and slime. “I hope not. But I might need some more serious instruction.”
“I think that was a one-off incident,” Aldriana assures him, her eyes sparkling with delight. “But hey, it’s all about building connections, right?”
My giggles continue as I take in the utterly chaotic scene. Just moments ago, this place was a structured haven for the animals, but now it’s a delightful disaster. Toy squeaks echo off the walls, and a cacophony of barks, chirps, and splats produces a symphony that vibrates through the very air of the shelter.
Creatures scurry about, their short legs racing to claim a spot among the chaos. A particularly excitable luminescent jelly-like creature rolls across the floor, leaving a trail of glowing goo that glimmers like morning dew. Nearby, a handful of small, furry beings are playfully tumbling into each other, their fluffy tails flicking in pure joy as they chase after a shiny, rolling ball that adds to the madness.
A few partition boards are pushed over, falling to the side, making everything seem even more chaotic. These animals are such balls of energy. Though this is far from organized, it's pleasant to look at.
Vatok's four arms awkwardly brace themselves against the endless giggles from the swarming animals. “I think this shouldn't be here, but I don't think they can follow instructions, not like beings who are driving in the sky,” he muses, chuckling even as he strokes the creature that flops onto his lap, with fur tickling his skin.
I get off the blankets. "Let's get onto the actual tasks."
He nods and nudges the animal to leave him alone before he can stand. He straightens his clothes, fixes his hair, and his belt, all at the same time. "Okay, let's get going. I hope I didn't set us back in the schedule."
"There's a schedule, but it's not that straight after all."
Aldriana claps her hands, a twinkle in her eye as she surveys the aftermath. “Alright! With a little help, we can have this place back in shape in no time.”
A renewed surge of energy in my veins, the enthusiastic banter with Vatok fueling my excitement. “Let’s divide and conquer! I’ll handle feeding the jelly creatures, and Vatok can manage the fluffballs.”
“Wait, you mean these?” He gestures to the messy scene.
“Yes! Those adorable bundles. They tend to get a little rowdy, but I think they're just excited to meet you.”
“Well then, let’s see if they can keep up with my ‘magnetic charm.'”
As we whip the shelter back into shape, we gleefully compare notes on the various animals. Vatok leans down to help the small jelly creature that’s stuck on its back, its translucent body shimmering under the shelter lights.
“Are you alright there?” he asks, concern softening his expression.
“See? You’ve got natural instincts!” I say as I scoop up the squirming jelly with both hands, sending sparks of laughter rattling in the air. “And now you’re officially a part of the shelter team!”
Every so often, Vatok lets out a chuckle as another fluffball jumps onto him, clearly enjoying his presence. “I wonder if I should rethink my career choices. This seems like much more fun.”
“Right? It’s like a comedy central.” I kneel to refill a jelly creature’s bowl. “Here you go, squishy friend. Time for your breakfast!”
Watching Vatok crouch low to take care of a stubborn little fluff, his four arms stretching out in attempts to pat everyone, sparks a warmth that blossoms in my chest. I’ve seen glimpses of this side in the bar—his sense of humor tempered with the iron-strong facade of a police officer—but here, amid the joyful noise of the shelter, there’s joy radiating from him that makes my heart flutter.
Could I really be falling for him?
I shake my head as if to dispel the thought, but my pulse quickens and an undeniable thrill lights up my insides whenever we share a laugh, whenever his molten bronze eyes lock onto mine for just a moment longer than necessary. It’s like a spark has ignited that I can’t seem to extinguish.
“Look out!” he shouts playfully as a zebaba makes a daring leap toward my face. I duck just in time, laughter erupting uncontrollably.
“I’ll save you.” He gestures dramatically, losing his balance briefly before righting himself, his smile a beacon of warmth.
“You should definitely add that to your officer skills list—‘savior of cute beings’,” I laugh, wiping away a tear from the corner of my eye.
But the thought that he might just be playing along lingers in my mind, swirling amidst my budding feelings. Is it even fair to entertain this attraction?
With that small uncertainty looming over our spontaneous camaraderie, I throw myself into the task at hand as a distraction. “Alright, you furry troublemaker, time for your bath!”
Vatok stumbles toward me, the zebaba is following him everywhere by now. "This is such a trip."
My phone buzzes and I check on it. "Dammit... It's almost time for my shift in the bar."
He looks out the window. The afternoon is almost over and the sky is painted with orange and purple. "So... time in the shelter is over, huh?"
"We can be here next time. Aldriana and the others can always use help."
He tilts his head to the side, seemingly thinking over something. He has four zebabas in his arms, one arm per zebaba. At least we know what he's here for, otherwise, he may look like he's trying to sneak these home. "I suppose."
We pack up and wave goodbye to Aldriana, who will be staying until closing time. As we head outside and the wind outside kisses my face, I can't help but wonder... Vatok...
He lets out a breath while I sigh. He asks, "Is everything fine? Are you tired?"
I shake my head. "No, I'm fine. It's just..."
"Coming down from the high?"
I don't think that's the case, but I don't know what that is. "Maybe.”
“You seem to thrive in chaos, Julie. Perhaps that’s why this place suits you, just like the bar.” There’s a hint of admiration in his tone that makes my heart flutter.
“Chaos fuels my creativity."
“Quite the adventure,” he chuckles, shaking his head as if still trying to process the frenzy we just escaped. There’s a softness about him now, one that draws me closer. “I’m not sure how I ended up in the middle of a fluffy tornado.”
“Admit it, you loved every moment,” I nudge him playfully. “Especially when you fell on those blankets.”
He groans dramatically, but there’s laughter dancing in his eyes. “If that makes me a softie, then I wholeheartedly accept.”
As we stroll side by side, I catch the curious looks of several passersby. Some humans glance at us with confusion, others contain amused smiles. Vatok is an imposing figure next to me—four arms, tall stature, and confidence that commands attention. I can’t help but beam with pride, feeling strangely lucky to be walking beside him.
“Are we... a sight?” I venture, my voice laced with curiosity.
He raises an eyebrow at me, trying to suppress a smirk. “You might say that. But I'd think they wonder whether it's the evil kot'oll putting his hand on a beautiful woman.”
"Geez, do you look like a bad guy?"
"Or maybe a human that's being escorted."
“Well, not everyone gets to have a fabulous police officer guiding them through a fluffy animal storm.”
“Or a bartender who charms the entire galaxy. We might be quite the dynamic duo.”
Is that the case?
A comfortable silence envelops us, punctuated only by the sounds of the city coming alive beneath the twinkling stars. It feels natural walking with Vatok, almost as if we've done it so many times that... Except...
I don't know anymore.