Page 17 of Testing the Kot'oll Officer

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 asone 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.

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