The patio was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, its warmth a welcome contrast to the cool air of the game room. Kev pulled out his cigarette case and offered one to Talon, who politely declined.
"I don't smoke," Talon explained, his voice a soft rasp.
Kev nodded, lighting his own cigarette and inhaling deeply. He leaned against the railing, watching the shadows lengthen across the manicured lawn.
"It's beautiful out here," he remarked, his voice a contented sigh.
Talon joined him at the railing, his gaze sweeping across the expansive backyard. "It is," he agreed, a hint of surprise in his voice. "I hadn't realized how much space there was around this establishment."
"Hey, I think your new apartment is right above us," Kev said, pointing upwards. Talon followed his gaze, spotting a small balcony on the second floor directly overhead.
A mischievous glint appeared in Talon's eyes. He quickly glanced around, ensuring no one was watching, then with a powerful flap of his wings, he launched himself into the air. In a graceful arc, he soared upwards, landing lightly on the balcony above.
"It is!" Talon called down, his voice echoing slightly in the twilight air. He quickly returned to Kev's side, landing softly on the patio before neatly folding his wings back into place.
"If you ever need to check in on your sister," Kev remarked, "it should be easy from here."
Talon nodded, a hint of relief in his eyes. "Quite convenient," he agreed,.
Kev finished his cigarette, carefully extinguishing it in the ashtray on the bench. He and Talon headed back inside, the cool air of the game room a welcome contrast to the lingering warmth of the summer evening.
As they entered, Kev noticed a cleaner standing on a ladder, replacing a flickering torch. The cleaner, a young lizardman with vibrant green scales, was humming softly to himself as he worked.
Suddenly, Talon lunged forward, his movements swift and predatory. He grabbed the lizardman by the arm, yanking him off the ladder and pinning him against the wall.
"Who are you?" Talon demanded, his voice a harsh rasp. "How did you get in here?!"
Kev, startled by Talon's sudden aggression, rushed forward. "Talon, stop!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the room. "He's just a cleaner!"
The lizardman, his eyes wide with fear, stammered, "I-I didn't realize anyone was using the room! I'm just changing out the lights, like I'm supposed to."
Talon's grip tightened, his voice a menacing growl. "We locked the door! Who gave you a key?!"
Kev, alarmed by Talon's outburst, quickly intervened. He grabbed Talon's arm, his voice firm but gentle. "Talon, stop! There's a secret door for the cleaning crew."
The lizardman nodded vigorously, his eyes pleading for understanding. "Yes, yes!" he squeaked. "It's behind the bookshelf. We use it to access all the rooms without disturbing the guests."
Talon reluctantly released the cleaner, his grip loosening but his eyes still narrowed in suspicion. The lizardman, clearly shaken, scurried towards the bookshelf and disappeared down the hidden staircase.
Talon turned back to Kev, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips. "Secret doors…" he muttered, shaking his head. "How am I supposed to keep you safe if there are hidden entrances everywhere?"
Kev gestured towards one of the plush armchairs by the fireplace. "Relax, Talon," he said with a reassuring smile. "You don't need to be so worried. Fang might be protective of me, to the point where he offered you an entire apartment to take this job, but this place is safe."
He leaned back in the armchair, crossing his legs comfortably. "The security team only allows delivery trucks during the day, and they keep a close eye on the loading dock. Plus, the cleaners are like a secondary security system. They're always around, observing everything, and they report anything suspicious to Cindy or Max."
Kev chuckled softly. "That lizard is probably talking to Max about you grabbing him right now."
Talon's expression darkened, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. "I didn't mean to cause any trouble for Max," he said, his voice a low rasp. "I was just... doing my job."
"Don't worry about it too much, Talon," Kev reassured him, his voice gentle. "I'm sure Max and Cindy will understand your reasoning. We can always smooth things over later."
Talon nodded, a hint of relief in his eyes. "There's still so much I need to learn about this place," he admitted, his voice a soft rasp. "Its secrets, its hidden passages... It's overwhelming."
Kev smiled sympathetically. "It takes time," he said, understanding the eagleman's struggle. "But you'll get there. We all do." He glanced at his watch. "We still have an hour or so before I need to get ready for tonight. Want to play some pool?"
"No, thank you," Talon replied. A worried frown on his beak was only visible to Kev for a moment before he walked back towards the pile of darts. "But I wouldn't mind another round of darts."
Kev chuckled, chalking his cue. "Be my guest, I'll stick to the pool for now."
Kev practiced his shots, his aim steadily improving with each game. Talon, meanwhile, dominated the dartboard, his accuracy uncanny. With each successful round, he stepped further and further away from the board, his throws remaining consistently precise. Kev couldn't help but feel a pang of envy, mixed with a grudging admiration for the eagleman's skill.
As the clock ticked closer to six, Kev reluctantly set his cue down. "I should probably head back to my room," he said, a hint of regret in his voice. "Need to get ready for tonight."
Talon nodded, retrieving the darts from the board. "Let's go," he said, his voice a soft rasp.
Kev led the way back to his apartment, Talon following closely behind. As they walked, Kev couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just witnessed a glimpse of Talon's true potential, a potential that extended far beyond his role as a bodyguard.
Kev rummaged through his newly expanded wardrobe, a smile playing on his lips as he considered his options. He finally settled on a deep blue suit with subtle silver accents, a perfect blend of elegance and confidence. He held it up, admiring the craftsmanship and the way the fabric shimmered in the soft light.
"Talon," he called out, turning to the eagleman who was perched on the couch, "I'm going to take a quick shower and get changed. Feel free to make yourself at home." He glanced at his watch. "It's 4:30 now. Horns usually swings by around 5 or 5:30, and Fang should be here by 6."
With a reassuring smile, Kev disappeared into the bathroom, leaving Talon to explore the apartment at his leisure.
The soothing melodies of the player piano drifted through the apartment, a welcome accompaniment to Kev's post-shower routine. He hummed along softly as he dried off, a sense of contentment washing over him. The piano had indeed been a wonderful addition to his new home, its music filling the once-empty space with warmth and life.
He spotted a bottle of lotion on the bathroom counter, a subtle fragrance of lavender and vanilla emanating from it. Another gift from Cindy, he realized with a grateful smile. He applied a generous amount to his face, the cool cream soothing his skin.
Kev finished getting dressed, carefully hanging his discarded clothes in the closet. He then headed back to the kitchen, where the enticing aroma of coffee filled the air. He poured himself a cup, adding a splash of cream and sugar, and carried it into the living room.
Talon was sprawled on the couch, one of Kev's books, A Brief History of Dala'Bon, open on his lap. The eagleman's usually rigid posture had softened, his wings relaxed and his gaze focused on the pages before him. Kev couldn't help but smile; it was the first time he'd seen Talon even remotely at ease.
"Enjoying the book?" Kev asked, taking a seat on the armchair opposite Talon.
"It's interesting, I guess," Talon replied, his voice raspy. "Just... things I forgot being taught back in school." He turned another page, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Kev sipped his coffee, watching Talon read. "Do you want anything to eat or drink before the club opens?" he offered. "I can make you something quick."
Talon looked up from his book, a flicker of hunger in his eyes. "I should probably eat," he admitted, his voice a low rumble. "Jerky, water, and an apple would be fine."
Kev nodded and headed to the kitchen. He assembled Talon's requested meal, arranging the jerky, a sliced apple, and a glass of water on a plate. He carried it over to the coffee table and set it down in front of Talon.
"Sorry, I'm not much of a cook," Kev apologized with a sheepish smile. "I relied on a microwave for too many years."
"Simple food is fine," Talon replied, taking a bite of the apple. "I'm not picky."
A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. Talon, his reflexes honed, was on his feet in an instant. He cautiously peered through the peephole before opening the door.
"Mr. Horns," Talon greeted, his voice a respectful rasp. "Good evening." He stepped aside, allowing the mooseman to enter.
"Evening, gents," Horns said with a cheerful smile, carrying a bulging grocery bag.
Kev took the grocery bag from Horns, a smile spreading across his face. "You're looking good today, Horns," he commented, noting the mooseman's freshly pressed suit and neatly groomed fur.
Horns chuckled as he settled onto the couch, his large frame dwarfing the furniture. "Hey, I look sharp everynight," he replied, grabbing the glass of water and the plate of food Kev had prepared for Talon. "Thanks for making me some grub, Kev."
Kev glanced at Talon, who was watching them with a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "I'll get you something too," Kev assured him, heading back to the kitchen.
Talon nodded gratefully and took a seat in one of the armchairs, his wings folded neatly behind his back.
Kev quickly assembled a plate of assorted cheeses and deli meats, adding a few crackers and grapes for good measure. He carried it over to Talon, placing it on the small table beside him.
"Sorry, it's not much," Kev apologized with a sheepish smile. "I'm still figuring out the kitchen."
Talon's lips curled into a faint smile. "This is fine, thank you."
Kev took a sip of his coffee, enjoying the warmth and caffeine boost. Horns, meanwhile, had finished his impromptu breakfast and was now rolling another joint.
"So, Talon," Horns began, his voice a friendly rumble, "how's your first day going so far?"
Talon, who had been quietly enjoying his food, looked up, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "Nothing to report," he replied, his tone formal.
Horns chuckled, lighting the joint and taking a long drag. "Relax, Talon," he said, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "I'm not Rex or Fang. No need to be so formal with me."
Kev smiled, grateful for Horns's easygoing nature. "Thanks for the heads up about Talon being here today, by the way," he said. "I would have tried to think of more things to do if I'd known I was going to be asked to show him around."
Horns laughed, a deep, hearty sound that filled the apartment. "Must've slipped my mind," he admitted, a sheepish grin on his face. "But hey, at least you're getting to know each other. That's important, especially considering..."
"So, Talon," Horns prompted, leaning back on the couch with a relaxed air, "tell me, how was it? Your first day on the job. Did it live up to your expectations, the rumors you've heard about this place?"
Talon paused, carefully considering his words. "The club is... very quiet during the day," he observed, his voice a low rasp. "I was impressed with the cleaners' attention to detail. And the apartment being provided for my sister and me is... extremely generous."
Horns nodded, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. "Sounds good enough to me," he said, reaching into his pocket and tossing a pack of cigarettes towards Kev.
Kev caught the pack with a grateful grin. "Thanks, Horns," he said, carefully transferring the cigarettes to his silver case.."
"Anytime," he said, his gaze shifting to Kev. "Do you need anything before I head out?"
Kev shook his head. "I'm all set, Horns. Thanks again for everything."
Horns stretched, a loud yawn escaping his lips. "Should be a good night tonight," he remarked, patting his stomach contentedly. "Reepicheep's making her famous lobster bisque. I can practically smell it from here."
With a final wave, Horns lumbered out of the apartment, leaving Kev and Talon alone once more.
Talon, his guard momentarily lowered, checked that the door was locked before walking back to the couch and settling into the cushions. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he closed his eyes, his wings twitching slightly in his sleep.
Kev watched him, a gentle smile playing on his lips. Despite Talon's initial stiffness and formality, Kev could see the exhaustion weighing on the eagleman. He was glad Talon felt comfortable enough to relax in his presence, even if it was just for a few stolen moments of rest.
Kev gathered the empty plates and carried them to the kitchen, rinsing them off and placing them in the drying rack. His stomach rumbled with hunger, but he knew dinner with Fang was not far away. He couldn't risk spoiling his appetite with a preemptive snack.
Instead, he grabbed his guitar and settled back onto the couch, his fingers finding their familiar places on the strings. He strummed a few chords, then launched into a melancholic melody, his voice soft and haunting in the quiet apartment.
As he finished the song, he noticed Talon watching him from the couch, his sharp eyes filled with a curious intensity.
"That was a nice song," Talon remarked, his voice a low rasp.
Kev smiled, a touch of self-deprecation in his voice. "I'm still working on it," he admitted. "I'm sure once you meet Asmodeus, you'll understand how much of a beginner I am."
"The nice thing about music," Talon replied, "is that it only matters if it sounds good. Not how long you've been playing."
Kev's smile widened, appreciating Talon's simple yet profound observation. He carefully placed his guitar back in its case, a sense of contentment settling over him.
He excused himself to use the bathroom, the sound of running water filling the quiet apartment. As he was washing his hands, he heard a knock at the door, followed by Talon's greeting.
"Mr. Fang," Talon's voice echoed from the living room, a hint of formality in his tone. "Good evening."