Kev's eyes blinked open, the familiar knocking at his door pulling him from a deep sleep. He glanced at his watch - 7 am. His body, still adjusting to the club's nocturnal schedule, protested the early wake-up call.
Mindful of his previous faux pas, Kev quickly pulled on his dirty clothes from the night before, answering the door. Horns stood on the threshold, his usually cheerful face etched with exhaustion.
"Howdy, Kev," Horns mumbled. He shuffled into the apartment, his massive frame collapsing onto the couch with a weary sigh.
"Just about to put the coffee on," Kev said, gesturing towards the kitchen. "You just want water, right?"
Horns nodded gratefully. "Please," he said, his eyelids drooping heavily.
Kev filled the kettle and set it on the stove, the familiar hiss of the gas flame a comforting sound in the quiet apartment. He poured a glass of water for Horns and brought it over, along with an ashtray.
Horns was already rolling a joint, his large hands always impressed Kev, how the moose could hold on to the small rolling papers was amazing. He lit it, taking a long, slow drag, and exhaled a cloud of fragrant smoke. Kev opened the windows, letting the fresh morning air dispel the lingering haze.
"So," Kev inquired, settling onto the couch beside Horns, "anything interesting happen last night?"
"Not much, really," Horns replied with a sigh. "Just… the first day of the new one-day-off policy starts tonight. It's such a simple idea, but everyone's making it so damn complicated."
Kev chuckled, taking a sip of his coffee. "I'm sure once it becomes routine, it'll be a great thing," he said, his voice filled with optimism.
Horns snorted, a cloud of smoke escaping his nostrils. "Yeah, yeah," he grumbled. "But right now, it's a pain in my ass. Rescheduling shifts, dealing with everyone's complaints... It's enough to drive a moose crazy."
He stretched his large arms. "Anyway, I gotta get going soon, sleep's calling," he announced, a hint of weariness in his voice. "Anything you need before I go?"
"Some noodles would be great," Kev replied, thinking of the empty pantry. "I'm starting to get tired of bagels and fruit."
"Will do," Horns said with a grin. "Oh, and I heard you almost had the boss up here again last night." He winked at Kev, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
Kev raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his face. "He stayed down in the VIP booth," he clarified. "Didn't even walk me up."
"Well, I walked by later, and he was laying into Lanon about something involving you," Horns chuckled. "I heard him say he'd much rather be up here than down there."
Kev's cheeks flushed, a flutter of excitement warming his face. "Maybe I'll be more than just an assistant soon."
"Go for it, Kev," Horns encouraged, giving him a playful nudge. "He already got you a diamond, I heard. You're basically hitched."
Kev thought of the beautiful cufflinks, their sapphire-backed diamonds sparkling in the morning light, on his bedside table. He couldn't deny the thrill of Fang's affection, the sense of security and belonging he felt in the wolfman's presence.
"This would actually make more sense if I was his boyfriend instead of his assistant," Kev mused aloud, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. "I can't imagine many people see me as anything other than that."
"It's kind of obvious, Kev," the moose admitted. "The way he looks at you, the way he touches you... it's not exactly subtle." He paused, a more serious expression crossing his face. "But Fang's old-school, and he has commitments. The club comes first, always has. But… I'm sure that dog will finally chase you home eventually."
Horns slapped his knees, a sign that he was ready to depart. "Well, I'm off to bed," he announced, yawning widely. "Say hi to Talon for me when you see him."
"Will do," Kev replied with a smile. "Sleep tight, Horns."
With a final wave, Horns left the apartment, leaving Kev alone with his thoughts and the lingering scent of coffee and marijuana smoke.
Kev finished his coffee, rinsed the mug, and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. He made sure to leave the space spotless, wiping down the sink and arranging the towels neatly.
Dressed in a comfortable pair of fresh slacks and a crisp button-down shirt, he returned to the living room just as another knock sounded at the door. He opened it to find Cindy and Max standing on the threshold.
"Good morning, Kev," Cindy greeted him with a warm smile. Without waiting for an invitation, she bustled past him into the kitchen, her practiced movements betraying her eagerness to make tea.
Kev nodded at Max, a friendly smile on his face. "Come on in," he said, gesturing towards the living room.
Max settled onto the couch, his bushy tail swishing contentedly. Kev, meanwhile, approached the piano and opened the box of music scrolls.
"Lightfoot Waltz or Jam-Thumb Rag?" he asked Cindy, holding up two of the scrolls.
Cindy, busy with the tea kettle, glanced over her shoulder. "Lightfoot Waltz, please," she replied, her voice gentle.
Kev carefully inserted the scroll into the piano and turned the crank, the delicate notes filling the apartment with a soothing ambiance.
Kev settled onto the couch beside Max, the gentle strains of the waltz creating a relaxing atmosphere. "Max," he began, "please thank the cleaners for taking care of the room. It looks great." He paused, a smile playing on his lips. "And that throw rug was a good choice. It really ties the room together."
He hesitated for a moment, then added, "Oh, and could you also tell that lizardman cleaner, the one Talon grabbed yesterday, that Talon and I apologize for the misunderstanding?"
Max chuckled, a knowing glint in his eyes. "I'll pass on the message," he assured Kev. "But I don't think you need to worry too much. Cindy's already keen to meet Talon. She's heard all about his... unique skills."
Kev raised an eyebrow, a hint of concern in his voice. "I hope she's not angry with him," he said. "He's still getting used to the club and thinks trouble is around every corner."
"She understands the importance of security," Max replied with a shrug. "She might give him a stern talking-to, but I doubt she'll hold it against him for long."
Just then, Cindy emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray laden with teacups and a plate of pastries. She placed the tray on the coffee table, a warm smile on her face.
"Freshly baked scones, dears," she announced, her voice a gentle melody. "Made with some of those lovely blueberries Horns brought you."
Kev's stomach rumbled appreciatively. "They look delicious, Cindy," he said, reaching for a scone.
"Thank you," Max added, his eyes lighting up at the sight of the treats.
Cindy settled onto the couch beside Max, her gaze fixed on Kev. "May I see the cufflinks, dear?" she asked, her voice a gentle purr.
Kev, happy to show off Fang's gift, carefully retrieved the cufflinks from his bedroom and handed them to Cindy. She held them up to the light, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
"They're exquisite," she declared, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Not too flashy or gaudy, just the right amount of elegance. A perfect choice for you, Kev."
After they finished their tea, she stood up, her movements graceful and deliberate. "Well it's time to finish morning rounds. Have a good day, Kev," she said, her voice warm and reassuring. "And don't hesitate to call on me if you need anything."
With a final smile and a wave, Cindy left the apartment, Max following closely behind.
Kev, guitar in tow, headed downstairs, to the tranquility of the backyard. The afternoon sun beat down, casting a shimmering glow on the pool's surface. He settled onto a lounge chair, the cool tiles a welcome contrast to the lingering warmth of the summer air. He lit a cigarette, savoring the familiar ritual as he strummed a few chords on his guitar.
Lost in the music, he didn't notice Reepia's approach until she was standing right beside him, her arms crossed and a stern expression on her face.
"Hey, human," she huffed, her voice a low growl. "If this day-off-a-week thing doesn't work out, I'm blaming you."
Kev chuckled nervously, his fingers faltering on the guitar strings. "Good to see you too, Reepia," he replied, trying to maintain a lighthearted tone.
Reepia's gaze narrowed, her sharp eyes boring into Kev's. "Did Fang eat anything while he was out last night?" she asked, her voice a pointed question.
Kev's eyes shifted to the side, a bead of sweat forming on his brow. How did she know? "I... I can't remember," he stammered, his voice a bit too high-pitched. "I must have had a lot to drink last night."
"Don't bullshit me, pipsqueak," Reepia snapped, her tone leaving no room for evasion. A dangerous grin then spread across her face. "The old dog always has a T-bone steak with pork chops after you go to beddy-bye. He only got a T-bone last night. What else did he have?"
Kev squirmed under the pressure. "We parked downtown last night so Talon could see his sister," Kev explained, trying to maintain his composure. "Maybe Fang snuck off at some point, while I was distracted."
Reepia's eyes narrowed, her skepticism evident. "Are you trying to pin it all on the boss, human?" she asked. "Smart move."
She took a long drag from her cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "I'll come by and ask Fang about it tonight," she declared. "And if you say anything while I'm questioning him, we will have a problem."
She revealed a set of surprisingly sharp teeth. "Enjoy your day, cupcake," she said.
Kev, a bit unnerved by Reepia's cryptic warning, forced a smile. "You too, cactus," he replied, watching as she turned and headed back towards the kitchen, her apron flapping in the breeze.
Kev spent some time strumming his guitar in the quiet of the backyard, the gentle melodies a soothing balm to his soul. As the sun climbed higher in the sky, he decided to head inside.
Back in his apartment, Kev surveyed the space with a critical eye. The cleaners had done a thorough job, leaving the room spotless and inviting. He couldn't find a single speck of dust or a misplaced object. Still, he felt a restless energy buzzing within him, a desire to keep busy and explore his new surroundings.
He grabbed a mop and bucket, deciding to give the floors a quick once-over. The rhythmic swish of the mop against the hardwood was strangely therapeutic. Once the floors were dry, he lit a scented candle, its delicate fragrance of lavender and vanilla filling the air and masking any lingering odors from Horns' earlier visit. He settled onto the couch with his book, determined to make some sort of progress in understanding the history of Dala'Bon.
But the dense prose and unfamiliar references continued to frustrate him. He longed for something more accessible, something that would provide a glimpse into the everyday lives of the city's inhabitants. "Maybe I should just get a newspaper," he muttered to himself, closing the book with a sigh.
He glanced at his watch, it was only 10 am. The day stretched out before him, an expanse of empty hours waiting to be filled. He poured himself another cup of coffee, hoping the caffeine would spark some inspiration.
Restless from the caffeine, he decided to wander the mansion once more. He left his apartment, his footsteps echoing in the quiet hallways. He ventured downstairs, towards the theater, drawn by the distant sounds of activity.
As he entered the grand space, he found a crew of beastmen and women hard at work on the stage. They were building and repairing various set pieces, their movements efficient and coordinated. Soft strains of music drifted from back-stage, creating a soothing ambiance that contrasted with the industrious scene before him.
Kev took a seat in one of the plush velvet chairs, his gaze fixed on the stage. He sipped his coffee, enjoying the spectacle of creativity and craftsmanship unfolding before his eyes.