Page 17 of Teaching the Kot'oll Coach

Both of them nod when we get closer.

The doctor says, “Who are you here for?”

The older one says, “Our brother, Telke. We got phone calls about him, so we’re here.”

The doctor nods. “I see. Telke is still inside the examination room, which I think you already know.” She glances at the door before tapping on her tablet. “Initial check-up shows that he is fighting it. When we have the detailed scans, we’ll let you know.”

They let out a breath, so do I. The older one asks, “So, he is likely to survive it?”

“That’s what the doctors checking him think at this moment. There’s a reliable chance that he will be fine, but there may be other complications depending on the severity of the hit and the fall.”

So... Telke isn’t completely off the hook yet.

The two kot’oll look at each other for a moment before one of them says, “We understand. Do you know how long it will take before we can have a look at him?”

The doctor shakes her head. “I’m not sure. I don’t want to give the wrong expectation. Last time we had a similar case, there was another hour left. But every being and every scenario is different.”

They sigh. “It’s okay. We’ll wait.”

The doctor nods. “I understand. Let us know if you need anything. I’ll leave you for the time being.”

So... I’m left staring at Telke’s brothers, who are also staring at me. Maybe they thought I work in the hospital even though I don’t have the right uniform.

Um... Do I turn around and run? Are they going to be mad at me?

The older one clears his throat. “So... Do you know Telke?”

I nod, but my throat is a bit too tight to squeeze out a word.

The other kot’oll pats the older one’s arm. They both take a step back, probably thinking that they are stressing me. I guess they have a point. It is a bit scary to be staring at two walking walls of muscles right in front of me. It doesn’t help when their faces are steel-hard, even though that has nothing to do with me.

I nod again. I have to make myself talk so it won’t be awkward.

Well... Given the silence that’s already lingering, talking is all I can do to make it a bit less awkward. “We work together in the school.”

“I see. Thank you for caring about him. I’m Efaze and this is Dren.”

“Hi... I’m Winnie.” Are they going to ask me what happened? Does that mean I’ll have to repeat everything again?

They watch me for another moment before they sit on the bench again. This time, they sit close to each other, almost squeezing together so that there will be room for me.

I put up a smile even when I’m not in the mood to smile, other than having to be polite. “Thank you. I’m not that fat, so I’ll be fine.”

Efaze gives a wry chuckle. “Just want to make sure you can get comfortable. We’ve watched the news. Telke has always been like that.”

Dren says, “But we’re proud of him, regardless.”

Efaze sighs. “We do. But he can be... more careful. Anyway...” He stares at the light above the door again, which is still red, still annoying.

He says, “At least the doctor said the chance is in our favor.”

Dren says, “Winnie, right? You must be busy. Don’t worry too much about Telke. He’s a fighter. Thank you for caring about him. I suppose you’re the human he mentioned.”

Oh... Telke mentioned me? Why?

He continues, “Telke’s happy that there is a new being in the school. He is always like that. He talks a bit too much.”

Efaze rolls his eyes. “Come on. We’re here to check on him, not to talk about him.”

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