Just as he was finishing his meal, a new knock echoed through the apartment. He opened the door to find a tired-looking bat-man standing on the threshold. The newcomer's dark wings were folded neatly against his back, and his eyes, though weary, held a sharp intelligence.
"Good day, Kev," the bat-man greeted him, his voice a soft, raspy whisper. "My name is Vlad. Lanon asked me to come up and talk with you." He held up a large leather duffel bag, its contents bulging mysteriously.
Kev's first reaction was to slam the door, the looming bat man was terrifying, the nose, the ears, the teeth all sent primal signals from Kev's brain down to his arms and legs begging them to run. It was with considerable effort that he held strong and smiled. "Come in, Vlad," he invited, stepping aside to let the bat man enter.
Vlad, without a word, strode past Kev and into the bathroom. He set the leather bag down on the edge of the sink and began rummaging through it, pulling out a bottle of bleach and a roll of paper towels. With methodical precision, he started cleaning the surfaces, his movements efficient and thorough.
"I don't think that's necessary, Vlad," Kev protested, a hint of amusement in his voice. "The bathroom's already clean."
Vlad ignored him, his focus unwavering. "It's part of the routine," he replied, his voice a low, raspy whisper. "Anytime I take my blades out, it needs to be in a sterile environment."
Kev, a bit taken aback by Vlad's intensity, clarified, "I just want a shave, Vlad. My neck and face are getting scruffy."
Vlad paused, his bleach-soaked rag momentarily suspended in mid-air. He turned to face Kev, a puzzled expression on his terrifying face. "A shave?" he echoed, his voice a hushed whisper. "You mean... just… remove the hair?"
Kev nodded, a sheepish smile on his face. "Yeah, just a simple shave. Nothing fancy."
Vlad's expression shifted, a hint of disappointment flickering in his eyes. "I'm not a barber, Kev," he said, his voice a low rumble. "I'm a surgeon."
"Lanon couldn't get me a razor," Kev explained, a hint of frustration in his voice. "So, this was his idea."
Vlad sighed, shaking his head in disapproval. "That lizard," he muttered under his breath. "Always coming up with... unconventional solutions."
He wadded up the paper towels, tossed them in the trash, then turned to Kev. "Alright, then. Hop up on the counter."
Kev complied, his legs dangling over the edge as Vlad rummaged through his leather bag. It felt like he was sitting on the edge of a vast drop as he watched Vlad pull out a collection of gleaming surgical instruments, their sharp edges glinting in the bathroom light.
"Stay still," Vlad instructed. He dipped a few clean rags into hot water from the sink, then gently placed them on Kev's face. The warmth penetrated Kev's skin, a soothing contrast to the cool metal of the scalpel that Vlad now held in his hand.
Despite the unusual setting and the intimidating tool, Vlad's hands were steady and precise. He shaved Kev's face with a surgeon's precision, each stroke of the scalpel removing the stubble with effortless ease. His gaze, however, remained fixed on Kev's exposed neck, a hungry intensity in his eyes that made Kev increasingly uncomfortable.
Kev tried to ignore the unsettling sensation, focusing instead on the soothing warmth of the hot towels and the gentle scraping of the blade against his skin. He remained perfectly still, his body tense but obedient, trusting in Vlad's skill despite his reservations.
Once finished, Vlad replaced the scalpel with another hot towel, pressing it gently against Kev's freshly shaved face. The warmth was a welcome relief, easing the slight sting from the blade.
"Thank you, Vlad," Kev said, his voice a grateful murmur.
Vlad nodded, but his task wasn't quite finished. He produced a small bottle of antiseptic lotion from his bag and began applying it to Kev's face, his touch surprisingly gentle despite the boney fingers.
"Be still," he instructed. "This will prevent any infections."
A few moments later, he stepped back, admiring his work. "All done," he declared, a satisfied smile playing on his thin lips. "I need to clean up now."
Kev stepped outside and Vlad closed the bathroom door behind him. "Coffee or tea?" Kev called out, hearing the shower start.
"Coffee," Vlad's muffled voice responded a moment later.
Kev, his heart still pounding from the intense experience, quickly brewed a fresh pot, using the last of his coffee beans. Vlad using his shower was a bit odd but he didn't care, it was nice to be able to have a mental reset before seeing the bat-man out. Kev felt so rude, judging the surgeon, but he couldn't help it, maybe it would just take a bit of time.
Kev waited patiently, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filling the small apartment. A few minutes later, Vlad emerged from the bathroom, his fur damp and his wings slightly ruffled from the shower. His long white gown stuck to him in a few places as he hefted his duffle bag onto the coffee table.
"Here you go," Kev said, offering the steaming mug to Vlad.
Vlad gratefully accepted the cup and sank into the cushions with a contented sigh. "Ah, that's the stuff," he murmured, taking a long sip.
Vlad took another sip of his coffee, a thoughtful expression on his face. "How often will you need this... grooming?" he inquired, his voice a soft whisper. He stretched out a wing, flexing its leathery membrane.
Kev considered for a moment. "Twice a week would probably be fine," he replied.
Vlad nodded slowly. "I don't charge low rates," he said, a sly grin spreading across his face. "But considering your... unique circumstances," he paused, his gaze lingering on Kev's freshly shaved face, "I'm willing to offer you a discount. And… To save time, it would be better if you came down to my office," he suggested. "No need to sterilize your entire bathroom again."
"You have an office here? What exactly do you do for Lanon?" Kev asked.
Vlad shifted in his seat, his wings rustling softly. "I'm basically the on-staff vet," he explained. "A lot of our workers and clients have... specific medical needs." He grinned, revealing a set of sharp teeth. "Teeth extractions, skin grafts, the occasional... excision."
His gaze met Kev's, a predatory glint in his eyes. "If you ever need anything, Kev," he purred, "just let me know. I've never worked on a human before."
"Lucky I'm feeling healthy and fit, then," Kev replied, trying to keep his tone light despite the unsettling undertones of Vlad's words.
"I'll make sure you stay that way," Vlad assured him, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. "The boss has been so much more... reasonable since you arrived. If I can keep you up and running, he'll hopefully stay that way too."
Kev still wasn't sure how to respond to such statements. He felt a strange mix of gratitude and unease at the implication that his own status was directly tied to some ethereal control he supposedly had over Fang's emotional instability.
"Where's your office?" Kev asked, changing the subject. "So I won't have to ask around for you next time."
"The east wing," Vlad replied. "Every few days, unless there are other patients in need. Even though you're the boss's assistant, I won't let mere grooming trump a medical necessity."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Kev said, relieved by Vlad's professionalism, despite his earlier unsettling comments.
Vlad rose from the couch, extending a hand towards Kev. "Until next time, then."
Kev shook his hand, a sense of cautious optimism replacing his earlier apprehension. Vlad, despite his unsettling demeanor, seemed competent and dedicated to his work. Perhaps he wasn't so bad after all.
With a final nod, Vlad left the apartment, leaving Kev to ponder the complexities of his new life and the increasingly blurred lines between his professional and personal relationships.
Kev studied his reflection in the bathroom mirror, the lingering scent of bleach a reminder of Vlad's meticulous cleaning. His freshly shaved face felt smooth and exposed, a stark contrast to the stubble that had grown over the past week. He ran a hand over his jawline, appreciating the clean lines and the subtle definition of his cheekbones. Vlad had done a good job, Kev had to admit, even if his bedside manner left something to be desired.
He returned to the living room, settling back onto the couch with his book. The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on the pages. He lost himself in the stories of Dala'Bon's history, the unfamiliar names and places slowly becoming more tangible in his mind.
Another knock at the door interrupted his reading. He glanced at his watch - it was four o'clock already. He rose from the couch and opened the door, finding Max standing on the threshold, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
"Afternoon, Kev," Max greeted him with a coy smile. "Seems like you are going to be a difficult one. Forcing me to put together a little private billiards room in less than a shift."
Kev's face lit up with excitement. "It's ready already? Really?" he asked, a wide grin spreading across his face. "That's awesome! Where is it?"
"Follow me," Max instructed, turning on his heel and heading down the hallway.
Kev quickly followed Max, eager to see the space that had been prepared for him. They descended the grand staircase and ventured deeper into the mansion's labyrinthine interior.
Max led Kev through a series of winding corridors, their footsteps echoing in the quiet mansion. They eventually reached a secluded wing on the west end of the building, far removed from the bustling activity of the main bar and dance floor.
"We wanted to get it closer to the bar," Max explained as they walked, "but the closer to the bar the more valuable the real estate. Anyways, this is a good room that's been waiting for some use."
They stopped in front of a heavy wooden door, its surface freshly painted a deep forest green. A bronze placard hangs from a short gold chain with the word PRIVATE, stamped on it. Max swung it open, revealing a spacious, dimly lit room.
"We got you a brand-new table," Max announced proudly, gesturing towards the centerpiece of the room. "And a fresh coat of paint on the walls. The floors aren't in the best condition, but we can work on that tomorrow."
Kev stepped inside, his eyes widening in awe. The room was everything he could have hoped for and more. The new pool table, its felt a vibrant green, gleamed under the soft light of a double chandelier hanging overhead. A cozy fireplace crackled in one corner, casting dancing shadows on the walls. And in the far wall, a set of French doors led out to a private patio, offering a secluded escape from the club's interior.
Kev was speechless. He'd expected a simple, functional space, not this luxurious haven. It was a testament to Fang's generosity, his willingness to go above and beyond to make Kev feel welcome and appreciated.
Max continued his tour, his enthusiasm growing with each step. "Some large lounge sofas and tables will be here in the next half hour," he said, pointing to an empty corner of the room. "Cues will go there," he indicated a wall with a series of hooks, "and a dartboard over there." He gestured towards another wall, already marked with a faint outline.
"You'll also need to know that behind this bookshelf," Max revealed, approaching a seemingly ordinary bookcase, "is a staircase down to the basement. Hopefully, you'll never need to use it, but if you want to go down and say hi to Cindy, I'm sure she wouldn't mind."
He looked around the room, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Not bad, eh?" he asked, clearly proud of the transformation.
Max then produced a ring of keys, carefully selecting one and handing it to Kev. "This is for the main door and the patio door," he explained. "Keep it safe. You don't want to get locked out."
Kev took the key, a sense of gratitude washing over him. "Max, this is really great," he said sincerely. "Thank you so much for setting this up." He paused, a sheepish look on his face. "And I'm sorry for making more work for you."
Max chuckled, his bushy tail swishing playfully. "I can tell it's going to be a bad habit of yours, boy," he teased, a twinkle in his eyes. "Always causing trouble, but somehow managing to charm your way out of it."
He gestured towards the room. "Anyway, everything here will be ready for you tonight if you care to use it. By tomorrow, we should be completely done, and then you can enjoy it anytime you like."
Kev nodded, his smile widening. "Thanks again, Max, it looks great. I really appreciate it." He didn't want to get in the way of the workers any longer, so he turned to leave.
"Oh, and Kev," Max called out as he reached the door. "Don't forget to lock up when you're done. Wouldn't want any unwanted guests stumbling in."
Kev chuckled. "Will do, Max," he replied, stepping out into the hallway and closing the door behind him. He added the new key to his apartment key ring, a tangible symbol of his growing sense of belonging in this extraordinary place.