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I clasp my hands in front of my chin, utterly delighted at the praise Victor's receiving. I want to blurt out his praises, but this moment is for him, not for me. I want him to feel good with all he's accomplished.
Victor only grunts. "I'm not a monster."
"I know you are not. In fact, one of the other clones of Crulden the Ruiner is settled quite happily here on Risda III. That's how I knew you had the potential of being something different than what you were created for. He set a good example. And after glowing reports from"—he glances down, checking something off screen—"Guardsmen Herrix, Akris, Riffin, and First Rank Novis, all of whom have thoroughly interacted with you, I'd like to offer you a position."
I go still the moment Riffin's name is brought up. My mind immediately races—what is he thinking? What new angle is Riffin pursuing? I thought he realized we were done. It's too much for me to hope that he'd come to understand that we're not meant to be together and decided to be the bigger man. Even aliens can be petty. I'm so focused on what Riffin might be up to that it takes a moment for the rest to sink in.
"Position?" Victor asks, a frown on his face.
"Yes. You've proven that you can be trusted, and I've been told that you've got the pump house working in top shape." That small smile plays on Lord va'Rin's mouth again. "So I'd like to offer you a position at another pump house farther down the coast. There's a cottage on the shore I've put aside for you. It's a bit more of a remote location, but it has an excellent garden and orchard, and you'll be well-paid and given an air-sled of your own."
Victor is silent for a long moment. He rubs his chin and then glances over at me. "I…do like a garden. But what about Bee?"
This time, Lord va'Rin's smile is wider. "Bee has shown me that the humans do indeed need a social worker to champion them. You'll have your position, and I've let the port manager know that you're to have an office in town, centrally located, as well as a house of your choosing. We can work out the details of your pay."
Oh.
Oh. This is wonderful. At least, it should be wonderful. I can't help but feel there's something I'm missing. "Thank you, Lord va'Rin." When he nods, I glance over at Victor, grinning. "You can help me set up my office with that air-sled of yours."
"Actually…" Lord va'Rin's mouth flattens. "Victor will not be close. The position I am offering is on the coast. I have a guard-station there and Victor would be near them. It's quite a lovely stretch of land, but I'm afraid it's nowhere near the human settlements."
Oh. "I see."
Victor takes one look at my face and storms out. I fight back my disappointment, managing a smile somehow. "That wasn't a temper tantrum, by the way. I think he's just a little overwhelmed—"
Lord va'Rin chuckles. "You do not have to defend him to me. I know the difference between frustration and a rampage. I've actually spent quite a bit of time with Crulden's other clone, who goes by the name of Mycrul. They're very similar in some ways and completely different in others. As long as there are no red eyes and spikes, I'm not concerned. But now that we may speak privately, I wanted to ask you…" He gives me a searching look. "You seem unhappy with my offer for employment. Is it not what you wanted?"
Am I that obvious? I always work so hard to disguise my true feelings. It's just… "You're sending Victor away."
The lord nods. "I am. Make no mistake, I think you have worked wonders with him, and I have every confidence in Victor himself. I feel he is trustworthy, and so I want him to have a job where he has the freedom to do as he likes. I want him to be happy."
I swallow hard and manage a bright nod. "I understand."
"You don't," he says, just as kindly. "You think perhaps he should have stayed in Port? What job in Port do you think he would be content with? Consider not only Victor's needs, but that of Port's residents. Where would you place him?"
With me, I want to say, but I know what Lord va'Rin is getting at. Would the people of Port view Victor as a terrifying problem, or would they accept him? I know his face is fearsome, his form terrifying. I know he started out in a constant state of fury and a few months is not enough time to determine if he can be completely safe around the others on his own. I know that the women in Port are largely scared of aliens and have abusive pasts.
