"Which room are you planning to give to Janine?" Otscharsan asks Gasard.
But it's not the redhead who answers; instead, a petite bundle of energy with a very loud voice chimes in.
"The one next to mine!" Kaia exclaims enthusiastically.
This seems to confuse Otscharsan at first. "Next to you, I have my room, and on the other side is Mike." He glances at Gasard, laughing amusedly. "Poor girl! She'll probably end up in the infirmary by next year." This comment confuses me. "Do you really hope he'll finally pull himself together with his wife anytime soon? When she visits the station, you can even feel it in the death zone."
"He promised to move in with his wife by a certain time," Gasard says.
"And then he'll probably show up at the station a week later, asking if we can take him back." Otscharsan is still laughing about it.
"Torsos said once he's out, he has to somehow get along with his wife," Gasard says. "But his son has already asked if we could keep Mike on the station. He fears his father will end up at his place, asking for shelter."
"Poor boy!" Otscharsan remarks. "But from the two of them, you can imagine what it would look like if you two ever got together and thought about having kids."
"That will definitely not happen!" Gasard replies unemotionally.
"Never!" Kaia calls out energetically.
"Sounds amusing," I comment, even though I can't really follow. But I think I'll pick up on a lot once I'm no longer in the infirmary. It seems interesting, anyway.
"Oh Janine, you'll definitely like it here!" Kaia says cheerfully. "With the guys, it's never boring!"
It does seem quite amusing here.
"Janine," Gasard calls for my attention. He has a smile on his lips, but his expression is serious. "I told you Torsos ordered that your mother be treated well." I nod. "A few days ago, he spoke with her, and the guards have adhered to it so far."
That's a nice answer, although it raises a question.
How much I hope for a 'Yes.'
"Can I visit her again?"
"You'll have to ask Torsos this time," he says. His smile fades, and he lets out a sigh. "Since I've taken over his work, I can't stay longer and have to go."
"I'll keep her company for a while!" Otscharsan says brightly.
Kaia practically jumps in her seat, shouting, "Me too! Me too!"
"I better not say anything against it!" Gasard says with a sigh. "But only on one condition!" He looks at Otscharsan sternly. "You have to make sure our dearest Kaia behaves herself!"
"I'm always well-behaved!" Kaia retorts, offended.
Otscharsan looks briefly puzzled at Kaia. "And how am I supposed to do that?"
"Your problem!" Gasard says. Slowly, he walks to the door. "See you later, Janine," he calls to me before leaving the room.
"Kaia, did you hear that? Behave yourself!" Otscharsan says, grinning at her.
The redhead sticks her tongue out at him. "Stop it, or Janine might actually believe I'm as terrible as you all claim."
Otscharsan raises an eyebrow. "Since when aren't you? I'd like to know."
Kaia glares at him angrily, while he just leans back in his chair, looking at the ceiling.
"I won't say anything more, or I might fear for my life here," he says with a laugh.
Annoyed, she turns away from him.
I've already heard from Mak that she has a bad reputation here, even though I still can't believe it. She's certainly easily annoyed. But the great beast, I have yet to see.
"Everyone likes to tease me here," she explains to me. "Especially him." She points at Otscharsan.
"I don't tease you, I just tell the truth," Otscharsan interjects.
Kaia sticks her tongue out at him again, and Otscharsan begins to grin. I, on the other hand, can't help but giggle, despite the pain.
The two of them spend the rest of the time telling me about the station and their experiences.
I listen to their stories with interest, and it all sounds so exciting to me.
A lot of it is also about Torsos. While Kaia clearly admires him, Otscharsan speaks of a friend. But they both agree on one thing. Torsos supposedly treats the subordinates on the station, at least a circle of the highest-ranking ones, like friends and tries to provide them with a carefree life.
If that's true, why is he hated by so many? I wonder. At least I've heard something along those lines.
But I'll surely meet him in person soon.
I'm so curious about him.
Kaia and Otscharsan stay with me until the evening, then I'm alone in my infirmary room again. Before Otscharsan leaves, he tells me he'd like me to be there when he talks to his sister.
I'm looking forward to that conversation.
***
That Tosa is Otscharsan's sister doesn't reassure me much. I still believe she has something to do with it.
Also, I have a bad feeling about keeping quiet about the matter. I think it's better if Gasard investigates it, but I also don't want to hurt Otscharsan with it.
My silence is surely a mistake. But I maintain it.