"What is this... McDonald's?"

"Huh?" Viktor was not awake enough for this.

"It's like a restaurant," his dad responded, still lying on the couch. Viktor had woken up in the middle of the pushed-together beds, slow and heavy. His head was aching from the lack of sleep. He wanted to curl up and go back to bed, but he knew they had things to do today.

"You did not just call McDonald's a restaurant," Viktor mumbled into the pillow.

"What'd you say?" Oskar shouted. Viktor moaned, annoyed. Why was everyone so loud this early in the morning?

"I am looking at this pamphlet. It has a lot of interesting things on it!" Vok'Rul said. The long night didn't even put a damper on the alien's happy mood. Viktor supposed that visiting another planet would make him cheerful, too. He thought about A1-308 and felt a twinge of homesickness. Which he tried to push away. He was home, on Earth! A1-308 was just... a home away from home. Earth needed to be his real home. For now, at least. It would make things hurt less.

Viktor sat up, then, unwilling to be left alone with his thoughts. He scrubbed his face with his hands, willing the grogginess to go away. "Did anyone come up here while I was sleeping?"

"Yes, actually!" Vok'Rul said, setting down the pamphlet. He was sitting at the small table pressed up against the wall. He looked at Viktor with a small, fond smile. "I contacted The Salvation and let them know what had happened. Captain Ghhvresh has not let anyone aboard or exit, except for the humans who had stayed back. Regardless, I had them bring some of our things to this hotel." The alien gestured to the bags on the floor, which Viktor had only just now noticed.

"Nice of them," he commented. He unsteadily got to his feet, throwing his arms out for balance. His walker was a little bit away, but taking a few steps without it was getting easier and easier.

After a shower - a real, honest-to-God shower, people! - Viktor got himself ready for the day. He had no idea what they were doing, and neither did Vok'Rul. The alien was simply excited to see the planet Viktor had been born and raised on.

A sharp, short knock on the door had Viktor flinching in surprise. Oskar walked over to open the door - after he had told Viktor in a whisper that the hotel staff had come by while he slept and screamed in horror at the sight of Vok'Rul, they had decided it best be him who opened the doors from now on - and said, "How can I help you?"

"Hello," came a muffled voice. "I am with the United States Department of International Security."

"I am with the UK's Security Service," came another voice.

"I am with..." was another voice, but Viktor couldn't quite make it out. He knew one thing, though. They were screwed.

"There are so many little security guards out there, Kohgrash," Vok'Rul informed him, able to see over Oskar's head and peer out into the hallway. He seemed way too calm for someone who had, like, a million guards out to get him.

"Not a good thing!" Viktor exclaimed, feeling nervous. They hadn't done anything wrong, and if the world were to suddenly protest Vok'Rul's presence, they would've done it as soon as they landed.

"Is the alien inside?" one of them asked. "We are here to escort... him... to a secure location."

"What does that mean?" Oskar demanded though Viktor could hear the faint hint of nervousness in his voice. "Obviously, he's not hurting anyone. Why would you put him in a hotel full of people if there were a chance for him to hurt someone?"

"Time constraints were rather tight. However, this should be of little concern to you, sir. You and your son will be relocated to a city of your choice in America, as your old place of residence is currently unavailable."

Vok'Rul stepped forward, then, placing a hand on Oskar's shoulder to urge him to step back. He was all teeth and polite smiles when he said, "Greetings. I take it you can understand me?"

Muted replies of affirmation followed his statement, and Vok'Rul continued, "Excellent. Then you should be able to understand the reason behind my words when I say that these two humans must remain by my side for the duration of my visit."

Viktor's shoulders dropped in relief. At least Vok'Rul wasn't planning on tossing him aside. Still, that left the very real problem of the world's governments insisting that Vok'Rul move.

From what he could gather from the very long argument at the door, the governments weren't so worried about what Vok'Rul would do to humans - he had made it rather clear that he wouldn't hurt humans, and Viktor thought that his tenderness shown toward him solidified that in many people's minds - but what people would do to him. The governments did not, under any circumstance, want to risk war with a planet from another galaxy. Despite Viktor's claims of grand nuclear weapons, the humans would lose. Especially if it was the Vokkra they killed.

The alien was unwilling to budge when it came to Oskar and Viktor's continued presence with him, and the security people were forced to concede. As they packed up all their things and made their way to the exit, they could hear the thrum of people outside the hotel. There weren't too many people inside the hotel; Viktor wondered if the security guys had something to do with that.

They stepped out of the hotel to bright lights, flashing cameras, and clicking shutters. Viktor tried not to shrink in on himself, to hold himself proudly, but he wasn't sure if he managed it or not. Whatever the case, he was sure hardly anyone was looking at him.

Vok'Rul wasn't dressed as extravagantly as yesterday, but he still had some jewelry plastered on him. He usually wore that amount whenever he wanted to look respectable, and Viktor knew that he was trying to make a good first impression.

The alien smiled and waved at the cameras, motions unhurried and practiced. With some difficulty, they were ushered away from the crowds and back to the landing pad they had gotten off the helicopter. A different helicopter was sitting in its place, and they climbed on.

"What about the meetings with all the world leaders and stuff?" Viktor tentatively asked one of the security people who had tagged along - the United States guy, he thought.

"Where we're taking you will be a suitable place for any meetings, son," he responded stiffly. His eyes were glued on Vok'Rul, curious but cautious.

The ride was uncomfortable and long. They were going over the ocean - probably to the US, was Viktor's best guess - and had to stop halfway to refuel, but at least Vok'Rul was having fun. He peppered Viktor with all sorts of questions.

"So, all this water... it is undrinkable to you?"

"Uh huh," Viktor murmured, trying not to look out the window. He did a little better over the ocean; there weren't any buildings or other points of reference to tell him how far up he really was. "Probably to you, too."

"I don't drink," Vok'Rul reminded him as if he would forget something like that. "I bet I could use the water."

"There's like, a bunch of plastic in it. Probably not the best." If Vok'Rul decided to take off his suit, which the alien had confided he likely didn't need anymore but kept on for safety reasons regardless, and died, Viktor would bring him back to life just to tell him I told you so.

"Hmph," Vok'Rul grumped, clicking his claws against the glass thoughtfully. "Oh, what are those? Kohgrash, come look."

Against his better judgment, he crawled over Vok'Rul to peek out the window. Whales breached the surface of the water, and man, they were really tiny, and Viktor was really high up.

"Awesome," he wheezed sarcastically, quickly getting back in his seat. "Those are whales."

"Whhaaales?" Vok'Rul repeated, awed. "You have enough water on your planet to drown mine, and there is life down there, too?! How spectacular!"

"I'll get you a life on Earth book," Viktor muttered, half-joking.

"Oh, wonderful! I would love to see what your books look like."

"They are nothing like yours," he replied.

The security person looked between the two of them, glancing at his dad as their conversation progressed into comparing the various aspects of their planet. Viktor tried to explain what zoos looked like to a curious Vok'Rul, but that topic quickly fizzled on his tongue when he noticed the look on his dad's face. They moved on to what apartments were like, as Oskar had started questioning the security person on the state of the towns the people who were kidnapped had left behind.

They weren't classified as ghost towns, really; people had moved in almost as soon as they had been emptied. Someone else was living in his and his dad's apartment, much to both of their disgust. Their stuff had been moved to a storage garage. The town was much smaller in population, and theoretically, they could move back into the town. The government, somewhat surprisingly, was willing to offer a stipend to help the displaced humans get back on their feet while they found somewhere new to live.

"Well," his dad said slowly, looking at Viktor helplessly. "We always talked about moving."

Viktor said nothing. When he had been stuck in the arena, he had often imagined their apartment. The straw he had lain on could've been the scratchy carpet in the living room. If he tried hard enough, he imagined that the yips, growls, and calls of the other animals were muted traffic outside his window. The creaking of cage doors as Lilac opened them had been his dad opening their windows to let some air in.

As he had found a home with Vok'Rul, the image of his apartment had faded, but he still longed to see it. And now, someone else was living in it. Their stuff was collecting dust in a storage unit. It left a bitter taste on his tongue.

"Yeah," he said after remembering he should probably respond. His tone was sullen, and he knew his dad noticed it. The man's hand went up to cup the back of his neck before it fluttered awkwardly on his shoulder, instead. Viktor scratched at the bandages uncomfortably.

He could probably take them off by now, and as the thought settled in his head, they became unbearably itchy and constricting. He didn't want to do it now, though. Not in front of random people in an enclosed space hundreds of feet in the air.

When they landed, Viktor was the first one off. His feet met the ground, and he sighed, relieved. Flying was easier in a big spaceship where the ground was solid underneath him, not in a shaky aircraft carrier.

"Right this way, Mr. Vokkra," someone new said, turning on their heel and walking away. They seemed to mean business.

They were in the middle of nowhere - at least, that's what it looked like to Viktor. Trees enclosed the space they had landed in and the only path leading away from the area was a gravel road. When they followed after the person - some lady in a pure white coat that reminded Viktor uncomfortably of the vets in the facility - an unremarkable building came into view. It was large, probably about ten stories tall, but plain and boxy.

The inside was completely different, however. It was just as ornate and expensive-looking as the last building they had been in. He supposed that this was where they'd meet with all the world leaders.

"Welcome to Port Trust," the woman said curtly. "You will be staying here, as agreed upon by the terms of our alliance."

Vok'Rul nodded pleasantly, even while Viktor scrunched his face up in confusion. He must've missed that part. "It is delightful here, thank you."

The woman nodded, just as curt and expressionless as before, and showed them to their rooms. One was for Vok'Rul and one was for Viktor and his dad. His room had two beds, a small dresser, and a bathroom attached. It looked like any normal hotel room. Vok'Rul's was a little more extravagant, though not by much. The bed he had was, once again, two king-sized mattresses pushed together, and the room was just a touch bigger.

The woman told them that there would be another meeting in a few hours and to just head down to the lobby when they were ready. They were left to their own devices after that.

"Well," Oskar said to the empty hallway. Their rooms were right next to each other. Viktor felt the same shiver of anxiety at not being able to keep an eye on Vok'Rul, but it was muted. Earth was safe. Ish. "I think I might take a nap."

"Good idea," Viktor rasped. He could use a nap. He looked up at Vok'Rul. "Don't do anything crazy."

"I won't," he promised with a smile that promised to do the exact opposite. Viktor narrowed his eyes at him for a second before huffing in defeat. If they ended up in a war, he'd tell Rukka exactly who started it.

***

The scream died on his lips with a strangled gurgle. He sat up quickly, whimpering at the sharp swipe of pain traveling up his spine. His throat felt tight. A light buzzed to life as Oskar sat up in his bed just as quickly.

"Viktor?" he asked, panicked and groggy.

"B-B-" Viktor couldn't get the words past his lips. His hands trembled as he dug his nails into his neck, tearing at the bandages. He slid off the bed as quickly as he could, falling to his knees as his legs couldn't handle his weight.

"Viktor! Stop moving," his dad said. He could hear him scrambling out of his bed in a hurry, rushing over to him. Warm hands circled his upper arms, heaving him back on the bed.

"Bathroom," Viktor rasped. His heart was beating hard enough in his chest that he could feel the organ convulsing under his skin.

"Are you gonna throw up?" he responded worriedly, letting go of his arms to grab the trashcan in the room. "Here."

"No," Viktor shook his head. "Off, I need- Off." He needed these bandages off.

"Sure, sweetheart," Oskar whispered, rubbing his hands up and down his arms. It was soothing. Grounding. "Just take a few breaths for me, first."

Someone must have told him how to calm Viktor from a nightmare. Probably Pedro. He was doing a much better job than last time. Viktor sucked in lungfuls of air like a drowning man.

"I'm okay," he mumbled, trying not to look his dad in the eye. "Uh, thanks-"

"You don't need to thank me for this, Vik," his dad said seriously. He pulled Viktor into a hug, and Viktor gratefully leaned against the man.

When they made it to the bathroom, together as his dad had demanded, Viktor carefully unwrapped the bandages from his neck. His skin was tender underneath, and he winced at the smell. Before he could even look in the mirror, Viktor turned the sink on and started scrubbing vigorously at his throat.

He gripped the edge of the sink as hard as he could. For a brief, terrifying moment, he thought of Nhafka's neck under his fingers. He could hear his bones crunch. He looked up, finding his gaze in the mirror.

If he had thought his neck looked terrible and ugly before, it was a hundred times worse. The metal had melted together, Vok'Rul had told him, and it had melted into his skin, too. There was one large band of scarred skin wrapping around his entire throat. Tendrils of electric burns sat on top and to the sides of the band from before.

He swallowed, and his throat convulsed at the movement.

"It isn't bad," his dad tried. Viktor stiffened, glaring at him through the window.

"Not bad?" he laughed incredulously. "I look like someone put meat through a shredder and forgot about it halfway through." His voice was bitter, and he desperately wished he was unbothered about this. He had never been one for his appearance, but this... he couldn't keep his eyes off the scars around his neck.

"We can get you a scarf if you want, but I don't think it's a big deal," Oskar said softly, squeezing his shoulder. Viktor felt the anger fizzle out of him. "Lots of people have scars."

"Yeah," he sighed explosively. He jumped when there was a frantic knocking on the door.

"Kohgrash? Kohgrash's sire?" Vok'Rul called through the wooden barrier. The alien tried the doorknob, but his dad had locked it before they had crawled into bed. "Are you alright?"

"Mr. Vokkra, I assure you that nothing has happened to them," someone mumbled, voice pitched down at a regular volume. Viktor could barely hear them. "Safety is the number one priority here, which is why -"

"With all due respect," the alien said tightly, voice barely restraining his anger. "I simply do not care."

Viktor decided to get moving before Vok'Rul accidentally offended someone.

The monitor for Viktor's heart had called him from exploring the building, and while his company had tried to dissuade him from abandoning the tour, Vok'Rul was determined to reach the human.

When Viktor had swung the door open, Vok'Rul froze, eyes locked onto his bare neck. Viktor cleared his throat awkwardly.

"They, uh... they got itchy," Viktor's hand hovered over the scarred skin for a second before he dropped his hand back onto his walker.

Vok'Rul's claws twitched like he wanted to run his fingers over his skin. "I see," he said instead.

They had woken up just in time for the meeting, and while his dad had decided to remain in the room, preferring to watch it live on the TV, Vok'Rul and Viktor had to get ready. Vok'Rul dressed up to the nines after Viktor explained that these people were going to be the actual leaders of Earth. Vok'Rul wanted to impress them.

Surprisingly, or perhaps not so much considering who it was, Vok'Rul had gingerly offered a blue bandana for Viktor to wear. It looked regal and professional enough that he decided he'd try to wear it. The uncomfortable sensation of something wrapped around his neck was not as intense as the self-conscious fire that had lit itself in the back of his brain.

The world leaders - presidents from across the world, lords, ladies, kings, and queens - were shuffling into the meeting room. Vok'Rul and Viktor had been led into it from another door by the staff of the building, claiming they didn't want to start any unnecessary panic. The room itself reminded Viktor of an auditorium, sans the stage. The lower part of the room was where they had settled, and the leaders had a great view of them as they stepped into their own chairs.

Vok'Rul actually got to sit this time. Somewhere, they had procured him a large enough chair. His tail hung awkwardly off it, but still, like always, he sat in it with class.

Well-rested, and just a little more interested in the people speaking this time - so many famous people in one room! - Viktor actually paid attention to what was happening.

"Welcome to Earth," the President of the United States said after everyone's attention had been called. Viktor was a little speechless. "Everyone in this room has agreed to compromise with your alliance of," a quick glance down to the papers gave the President an answer, "A1-308."

Some whispers rolled out from the floor. Probably because A1-308 was a terrible name to call a planet. Sure, scientists called planets and stars they didn't know all that well by numbers and letters, but important things were named. Like the planet you lived on.

The President of the United States introduced themselves, and thus started the roll call. Vok'Rul stood from his chair as they finished, speaking politely, "It is a pleasure to be in your presence, leaders of Earth. I am Vokkra Rulshkka, the sole leader of my planet."

"It is nice to finally meet you." They had only been on Earth for two days, but it felt like the longest two days of Viktor's life. He shifted slightly in his chair, trying to shake out the annoying tingling in his left leg. It brought the attention of almost everyone in the room, and someone - the President of Brazil, based on the flag sat in front of the table - latched onto it with both hands.

"Why is there a boy in here, Vokkra?"

"Victor," Vok'Rul's hand reached back to settle on the top of his head briefly, "was the first human to speak with my kind. He proved your sentience to me despite the circumstances stacked against him. He has helped me with all manner of things, such as human rights on my planet." That was a big fat lie, and they both knew it. Viktor had been in a coma the entire time Vok'Rul made up the list.

"Do you have this list with you?" one of the other leaders said, squinting at Viktor as if seeing him in a new light. Viktor straightened and tried to look as professional as possible.

"I can send for it right now," Vok'Rul replied, pulling out his phone from the inside of his clothing and handing it to Viktor.

Viktor... had no idea how to work his phone. He figured out how to turn it on, but when the hologram appeared, it was simply a list of names. Passing his finger through the list made it scroll down slightly. Maybe he should've worked harder when learning how to read the Vokkrus language. He only knew a few letters. He just started clicking.

There were only three people Viktor knew that he should probably call. Vok'Rul probably had Thruul, Blacksmith, and The Conquest on his phone, so that's who he'd try to call. There was probably no way he'd be able to call anyone else. At least Vok'Rul's contact list was rather small. There were only around ten names on it.

He got Thruul.

"Hello, my lord! How are you faring - oh, Kohgrash! Is Rulshkka alright?" Thruul's hologram flickered to life, hazy and sporadic but there, nonetheless. He looked concerned. Viktor felt a little proud of himself that he had gotten the person who'd most likely know what to do.

"Everything's fine," Viktor reassured, voice hushed. He was away from any microphones, so unless everyone stopped talking to listen, no one would really overhear their conversation. As it were, the world's leaders did pause to goggle at the hologram sitting in Viktor's palm. "Uh, Vok'Rul needs the list of human rights."

Thruul huffed out a chuckle, and Viktor caught Vok'Rul glancing downward with a fond smile. The alien went back to speaking with the room swiftly, though. "Forever forgetful, our lord is. I will ping it to his phone through The Conquest. Tell him it's the circle, not the square. It's a very important distinction, Kohgrash."

"Circle, got it. Thanks, Thruul."

"It is no issue, little beast. His phone will chime when I get the file to him, which will be very soon."

Thruul hung up, then (what a relief; Viktor had no clue how to hang up) and soon enough, a chime echoed through the room a few minutes later. Viktor hurriedly handed Vok'Rul his phone when the alien reached for it. "The circle, Thruul said," he parroted, grinning at Vok'Rul's constipated look.

"That was one time," he whispered grumpily, pulling up the document. He twisted something on his phone, and suddenly, the hologram grew several sizes larger. The writing was clearly legible, but it was written in a language no one except Vok'Rul could read. And Viktor, sort of.

"Vok'Rul," he said, slightly too loud in the silent room. He dropped his voice to a hiss, "We can't read that."

Vok'Rul looked back at the document with a frown, "What do you mean? It's large enough- oh."

"Yeah, oh," Viktor couldn't help the retort.

Someone cleared their throat, breaking the silence that had descended on the world leaders. "We can postpone the reading of human rights as soon as we translate your written language," the United States President said. "Now, onto the matters of technology..."

Viktor settled back in his chair, readying himself for what was quickly shaping up to be a very long meeting.