When Kev finished his cup, he decided to head back to his apartment, not knowing what else to do to kill time. As he passed the empty barroom, he spotted Max leading a group of cleaners through the mansion, towards the west wing. They were carrying a large tapestry, its vibrant colors and intricate patterns a stark contrast to the mansion's muted decor.
"Hey, Max," Kev greeted, a curious smile playing on his lips. "What's up?"
Max, his brow furrowed in concentration as he directed the cleaners, glanced over at Kev. "Talon arrived with his sister," he explained. "They've asked us to bring a few things up to their apartment."
Kev's eyes widened as he took in the massive tapestry the cleaners were carefully maneuvering. "That's a big one," he remarked. "I would have thought that belonged to the mansion."
Max chuckled, a sly grin on his face. "Apparently, it's one of the few things they brought with them from their old place," he said. "Talon's sister is quite attached to it." He paused, a thoughtful look on his face. "I've already got the perfect spot for it."
Kev followed Max and the cleaners as they made their way towards the elevator. The confined space was filled with the scent of cleaning supplies and the soft rustling of the tapestry.
"How long has Talon been here?" Kev inquired.
"Maybe thirty minutes," Max replied, his tone somber. "His sister seems... less than impressed."
Just as the elevator doors opened onto the second floor, a shrill voice echoed down the hallway. "I'd rather be back in the housing projects than this bullshit!"
The unmistakable sound of a door slamming shut punctuated the outburst, leaving a tense silence in its wake.
Kev and the cleaners cautiously entered the apartment, the earlier outburst still hanging heavy in the air. Talon stood outside a closed door, his shoulders slumped and his wings drooping. He looked utterly defeated, a stark contrast to the confident and assertive figure Kev had encountered earlier.
As he noticed Kev and the cleaners, Talon straightened up, a forced smile masking his inner turmoil. "She's just getting some sleep," he explained, his voice a strained rasp. "It's been a long day already."
He gestured towards the tapestry. "You can put that... wherever," he said, his voice trailing off.
Kev took a moment to survey the apartment, noting the subtle changes that had been made to accommodate Talon's sister. Doorways had been widened, ramps installed, and furniture rearranged to create clear pathways. It was evident that Max had taken great care to ensure the space was accessible and comfortable.
Talon, his gaze fixed on the floor, approached Max with a hesitant step. He bowed his head slightly, his voice a soft rasp. "Mr. Max, you have been so kind to me and my sister," he began, his tone sincere. "And yet, I insulted one of your workers yesterday. Please, let me atone for my actions."
Max clapped a hand on Talon's shoulder, his grip firm but reassuring. "Cindy wants to have a chat with you tonight," he said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "She's the one you need to be apologizing to.
He laughed, a hearty sound that echoed through the apartment. "Don't worry, Talon," he added, his voice softening. "She's not one to hold a grudge. Just be prepared for a bit of a lecture."
A voice, muffled but unmistakably irritated, echoed from the closed bedroom door. "Shut up while I'm moping!"
Kev bit back a laugh, his shoulders shaking with suppressed amusement. He glanced at Talon, a questioning look in his eyes. "Is she serious?" he whispered.
Talon sighed, a weary smile playing on his lips. "Yes and no," he replied, his voice a soft rasp. "Sabrina is... quite stubborn. She knows deep down that this was the best thing that could have happened to us, but she needs to make a show of… being pissy."
He raised his voice slightly, calling out towards the closed door, "Isn't that right, sister?"
A muffled retort echoed back. "You suck, brother! Get a better job!"
Talon groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Please, Kev," he pleaded. "Ignore her, she can be an idiot."
Kev couldn't contain his laughter any longer. He stepped closer to the closed door and called out in a cheerful voice, "Hello, new neighbor!"
The door cracked open a sliver, and a pair of piercing blue eyes peered out. Sabrina, Talon's sister, was also an eagle, her features just as sharp and striking as her brother's. Her expression, however, was anything but welcoming.
"Neighbor?" she scoffed, her voice raspy like Talon's but higher pitched. "You live at this weirdo medieval sex club? I don't want you getting any of your rare diseases on my stuff. Leave."
She slammed the door shut, leaving Kev and Talon standing in stunned silence.
Talon's beak hung open, his feathers ruffled in embarrassment. Kev, however, couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Let's give her some space," he said, wiping a tear from his eye. "She's clearly not in the mood for socializing."
As they left the apartment, Talon turned to Max with a sheepish expression. "Again, I apologize for yesterday," he said, his voice a low rasp. "I didn't mean to overstep my boundaries."
Max waved a dismissive hand. "No harm done, Talon," he assured him with a smile. "Just try to be a bit more... discerning in the future."
Talon nodded, a grateful look in his eyes. He and Kev then headed back down the hallway towards Kev's apartment.
"So," Kev began, once they were safely inside, "how was your night after we parted ways?"
Talon shrugged, settling onto the couch. "I didn't stay much longer," he replied, his gaze fixed on the floor. "Fang just asked me a few questions about you, and then I left."
Kev raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "About me?" he echoed. "What kind of questions?"
Talon hesitated for a moment, then said, "Nothing specific. Just... general things. What you did during the day, who you talked with, that sort of thing."
Kev nodded, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. He lit a joint, offering it to Talon, who politely declined.
"I've got to find Lanon's daytime manager and get a shave today," Kev announced, taking a drag from the joint.
Talon looked up from the book he'd been idly flipping through. "Who's the daytime manager?" he asked, his voice a soft rasp. "And what's a shave?"
"It's like a haircut, but for my face," Kev explained, scratching at the stubble that had already started to reappear.
Talon flipped through the book, his brow furrowed in concentration. "Must be a weird mammal thing," he muttered, his voice a low rasp.
Kev chuckled. "Yeah, I guess it is." He stood up, stretching his arms above his head. "We need to find Vlad. He's the daytime manager who works under Lanon. He should be somewhere down in the east wing, near the loading dock."
Talon raised an eyebrow, a hint of skepticism in his voice. "You don't even know where he is?"
Kev shrugged, a sheepish grin on his face. "I haven't gotten around to exploring much of the mansion yet," he admitted. "To be honest, the east wing kind of feels like a forbidden zone. Other than the theater, the only room I've been to over there is the fighting pit. And when I tried to check out the loading dock last week, Lanon personally escorted me back to the main entrance."
Talon looked up from his book, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Mr. Fang said I have full authority to enter any unlocked door in the building," he stated. "If he's expecting you, I don't see an issue with us going there." A spark of excitement flickered in his eyes, a welcome change from his earlier somber demeanor. It seemed the prospect of exploring the forbidden east wing was a welcome distraction from the stress of his move.
Kev, sensing Talon's eagerness, grinned. "Let's go then," he said.
Kev and Talon descended the grand staircase, their footsteps echoing in the dimly lit hallway. The air hummed with a subdued energy, a stark contrast to the vibrant chaos that erupted each night. They passed by the familiar landmarks of the theater and the fighting pit, their presence drawing curious glances from the cleaners diligently preparing the spaces for the evening's festivities.
Kev recognized a few faces from the cleaning crew, but most were unfamiliar, their gazes lingering on Talon with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The eagleman's reputation as Fang's new bodyguard had clearly preceded him.
"Do you think he is close," Talon questioned. "There are no more rooms." He gestured towards the end of the long, dimly lit corridor, where a single door stood slightly ajar.
Suddenly, a shrill scream pierced the silence, echoing through the hallway and sending a shiver down Kev's spine.
Talon's instincts kicked in instantly. He stepped in front of Kev, his wings spreading slightly in a protective gesture. "Stay behind me," he commanded, his voice a low growl. "I'm going in."
Without hesitation, Talon lunged forward, his powerful legs propelling him towards the door where the scream had originated. He slammed his shoulder against the wood, the door whipping open with a THWACK under the impact. He burst into the room, his movements swift and decisive.
Kev, his heart pounding in his chest, scrambled to catch up. He rounded the corner and skidded to a halt, his eyes widening in shock. Talon had Vlad pinned against the wall, his talons digging into the bat man's shoulder and wrist, his face contorted in a mask of fury. A terrified alligator woman, her scales shimmering with a sheen of sweat, cowered in the corner, her hands covering her face.
Kev's gaze swept across the room, taking in the stark contrast to the rest of the dimly lit, opulent mansion. The space was clinical, almost sterile, with gleaming white tiles and a single leather chair positioned beneath a harsh, overhead limelight. It was clearly a medical bay, though the absence of any modern medical equipment or supplies gave it an unsettling, almost sinister vibe.
Kev's eyes then fell upon the gator woman, her form trembling in the corner. She wore a blue bib, and her eyes were wide with terror.
"Talon, stop!" Kev shouted, his voice echoing through the room.
Talon's grip tightened on Vlad, his voice menacing. "This freak was pulling out that woman's teeth!"
Vlad gasped, his wings fluttering in panic. "No, no, it's not what it looks like!" he protested.
"He's a doctor, Talon!" Kev insisted "Let him go!"
Talon's grip loosened slightly, but he didn't release Vlad entirely. "Why wouldn't he put her under anesthesia?" he demanded, his voice a harsh rasp. "That makes no sense."
Vlad, his face pale and his wings trembling, struggled to catch his breath. "She works the night shift," he explained. "If I put her under, she won't be able to drive home."
The gator woman, her voice shaking, added, "Please, don't hurt the doctor. He's helping me."
Talon, his expression conflicted, finally released Vlad. He stepped back, his brow furrowed in disapproval. "That's very negligent," he said. "You could lose your license for something like that."
He turned to the gator woman and offered her a hand, his demeanor softening. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice gentle.
The woman hesitated, her gaze darting between Talon and Vlad. She seemed unsure whether to trust the eagleman, the fear in her eyes was undeniable.
Vlad spun around, his voice rising in a frustrated shriek. "You ruined the clean room!" he exclaimed, gesturing wildly at the scattered dental tools and overturned tray. "Thank goodness I finished the extraction before you barged in here, or else this poor woman would be stuck here another hour of her day. Now I have to sanitize the whole room again!"
His anger simmered as he turned his attention to Talon. "Who the hell are you, and why is the human with you?.." Vlad's voice trailed off as he finally noticed Kev standing awkwardly in the doorway.
The gator woman, seizing the opportunity to escape the tense atmosphere, quickly removed her bib and slipped out of the room. "Thank you, doc," she said with a grateful nod. "I'll follow up tomorrow."
Talon, his feathers slightly ruffled from the confrontation, cleared his throat. "My apologies, you must be Mr. Vlad," he said, his voice a low rasp. "I am Talon, Mr. Fang's new bodyguard."
Vlad straightened his jacket, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Ah, yes," he said, a dry chuckle escaping his lips. "I've heard about you already. Guess they weren't lying about you having a quick trigger."
Talon's wings twitched slightly, his posture stiffening in response to Vlad's comment.
Vlad turned his attention to Kev. "Well, you're stuck with this hothead now, I suppose," he said. "I don't envy you." He paused, his gaze lingering on Kev's face. "I'm guessing you're here for one of your... shaves, then?"
Kev nodded, a sheepish grin playing on his lips. "Yeah," he admitted. "Sorry again about the interruption, Vlad. Talon heard a scream and reacted. I can't say I wasn't a bit freaked out myself."
Vlad's gaze softened as he looked at Kev. "Not your fault, Kev," he said, his voice a gentle rasp. He then turned his attention back to Talon, his expression hardening.
"You," he said, pointing a long, bony finger at the eagleman, "may sit there. And if you move again, you're out of here." He indicated a small wooden chair near the door, its stark simplicity a contrast to the plush furnishings of Kev's apartment.
Talon, sighing in annoyance, reluctantly took a seat, his gaze fixed on the floor.
Vlad turned back to Kev, a professional smile returning to his terrifying face. "Your procedure is non-invasive, Kev," he assured. "Just let me get this mess sorted out, and we'll begin."
He efficiently gathered the scattered dental tools and discarded bib, placing them in a biohazard bin. He then wiped down the leather chair and surrounding surfaces with disinfectant, his movements precise and methodical.
Once the chair was spotless, Vlad gestured for Kev to take a seat. "Make yourself comfortable," he said, his voice a soothing whisper.
Kev cautiously approached the chair, his gaze lingering on the gleaming surgical instruments Vlad was carefully arranging on a nearby tray. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness as he settled into the leather seat, the harsh limelight illuminating his every feature.
Vlad, meanwhile, meticulously washed his hands, scrubbing them with antibacterial soap and drying them with a sterile towel. He then retrieved a pair of hot towels from a warming cabinet and gently placed them on Kev's face. The warmth was soothing, relaxing the muscles in Kev's jaw and easing the tension that had built up over the past few days.
Vlad then selected a small jar of shaving cream and a straight razor from his tray. The blade, honed to a razor-sharp edge, gleamed ominously in the bright light. Talon, watching from his designated chair, shifted uneasily, his wings twitching nervously as Vlad approached Kev with the gleaming instrument.
"What, bird?" Vlad asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. He glanced at Talon, who was watching him with a wary expression.
"I thought you said the procedure was non-invasive," Talon retorted, his voice a low rasp.
Vlad chuckled, a dry, raspy sound that echoed in the small room. "Keep those feathers in that chair," he instructed, his tone playful but firm. "This won't take long."
He turned back to Kev, gently removing the hot towels from his face. "Now, let's get started," he said, dipping his fingers into the jar of shaving cream and applying it to Kev's face with practiced ease. The cool, creamy lather felt soothing against Kev's skin, a welcome contrast to the lingering warmth of the towels.
Talon's anxiety grew with each passing moment. He tapped his legs restlessly, his gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before him. Vlad, his eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity, held the razor poised against Kev's throat. The bat man's focus was unnervingly sharp, his attention drawn to the delicate pulse of Kev's jugular vein.
Kev, seemingly paralyzed by the situation, remained motionless, his eyes closed and his breath shallow. Talon's heart hammered in his chest, a primal fear gripping him. If the human was hurt, it would be his responsibility. He'd failed in his duty to protect him.
Vlad's bony hand gently tilted Kev's head, exposing the smooth skin of his neck. The human was a puppet in the bat man's grip, his vulnerability laid bare. Talon's legs tensed, his talons digging into the wooden chair, ready to spring into action at the slightest sign of danger.
The razor descended once more, its edge kissing the delicate skin beneath Kev's jawline. Talon tapped his legs faster, a frantic rhythm echoing the beat of his racing heart. The bat man then moved the blade upwards, stopping just beneath Kev's nose.
Talon's feathers ruffled, a warning caw building in his throat. He was about to intervene, to snatch the razor from Vlad's hand, when the bat man suddenly stepped back, a satisfied smile on his face.
"All done," Vlad announced, his voice a soft whisper. He dabbed a cotton ball soaked in antiseptic on Kev's freshly shaved face, the sharp scent of alcohol filling the air.
Kev hopped off the counter, running a hand over his smooth skin. "Thanks, Vlad," he said with a relieved smile. "You're great at this. And sorry again about, uh, our entrance" He glanced back at Talon, who was still perched on the small chair, his posture rigid.
"Is there any way I can let you know we're coming next time?" Kev asked Vlad, hoping to avoid another surprise encounter.
Vlad's gaze flicked towards Talon, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Knock, please," he said simply.
Kev chuckled. "Will do." He stepped away from the chair, feeling the smoothness of his freshly shaved face. "See you in a few days, Vlad."
Vlad waved a dismissive hand. "Don't bother bringing the bird next time," he said with a smirk.
Talon, his feathers ruffled slightly, bowed his head respectfully. "Have a good day, Mr. Vlad."
Kev and Talon left the medical bay, the tension from the earlier encounter slowly dissipating as they walked back towards the main part of the club.