Kev's sleep, when it finally came, was deep and dreamless, a welcome respite from the whirlwind of last night's events. He stirred awake as a persistent knocking echoed through his apartment. Blearily, he checked his watch - 7 am. It must be Horns, back from his shift and ready to crash.
Kev padded to the door, sleep still clinging to his eyelids, and swung it open. Horns stood on the threshold, a weary smile on his face, his massive frame drooping slightly with exhaustion.
Horns's smile faltered as his gaze swept over Kev's form. He snorted, a low, rumbling sound that echoed in the hallway. Kev, following his gaze, looked down and realized he was only clad in his underwear. A blush crept up his neck, and he quickly averted his eyes.
"Come in," he mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. "Just woke up."
He retreated to the bedroom, closing the door behind him. A few minutes later, he emerged, fully dressed in a comfortable pair of jeans and a t-shirt.
Horns was already comfortably sprawled on the couch, a joint dangling from his lips, its smoke curling lazily towards the ceiling. "Thought you'd at least have a little fur," he remarked with a chuckle, his gaze lingering on Kev's bare arms.
Kev rolled his eyes playfully. "Some humans do," he retorted, heading towards the kitchen. "But I'm not one of them."
He filled the kettle with water and placed it on the stove, the familiar routine of making coffee a comforting anchor. As the water heated, he poured a separate glass of water for Horns and brought it over to the couch.
"Thanks, Kev," Horns mumbled, taking a long drag from his joint. "So, how was your night?" he asked.
"The auction was...," Kev replied, his voice trailing off as the memory of Pedro on the auction block flashed through his mind. He shuddered, a wave of unease washing over him. "Did you know about that? About Pedro?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Horns exhaled a cloud of smoke, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow. "My job isn't to upset you, Kev," he said, his tone gentle. "But yes, I knew. Pedro made it out quite well, to be honest. Talon wasn't too rough on him."
"What?" Kev's eyes widened in surprise. "Talon? What do you mean?"
"Pass me a bagel, and I'll tell you," Horns said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Kev quickly complied, handing Horns the last bagel from the bag.
Horns took a bite, savoring the warm, doughy goodness. "Fang wanted Talon to... audition, let's say," he explained between chews.
"Audition?" Kev echoed, his brow furrowing in confusion. "I thought his performance in the fighting pit was the audition."
Horns shook his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Talon is going to have a unique job, Kev," he said, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Fang wanted to make sure he understood the seriousness of the deal they were making, the consequences of any... missteps."
Kev's heart sank. "What did Talon do to Pedro?" he asked, a knot of dread forming in his stomach.
"You're out of bagels, Kev," Horns observed, eyeing the empty bag on the counter. "Seems like you'll have to ask Talon about it yourself." He chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Kev's face flushed slightly. "I'm not trying to bribe him for information, Horns," he protested, though a playful smile tugged at his lips.
"Sure, sure," Horns replied with a wink. He stood up, stretching his massive frame. "Anything else you need before I head out?"
"Some jerky would be nice," Kev said, thinking about the long hours he spent during the day. "And, maybe some peanut butter. And… of course, more bagels."
Horns laughed heartily. "Trying to use them to buy more info from me, are you?" he teased. "Clever, Kev, very clever."
He headed towards the door, but Kev stopped him with a question. "Hey, Horns," he asked, "what's the laundry situation here? I haven't seen any washing machines or dryers."
"There are laundry chutes in a couple of spots on the second floor," Horns explained. "Just toss your dirty clothes in, and they'll end up in the basement. Cindy's crew will take care of it for you."
"That's convenient," Kev said, relieved. "Thanks, Horns."
"No problem, Kev," Horns replied with a wave. "See you tonight." He closed the door behind him, leaving Kev to ponder the mysteries of Talon and the events of the previous night.
Kev gathered the pile of dirty clothes that had accumulated over the past week and ventured out into the hallway. He followed Horns' instructions, searching for the elusive laundry chutes. After a few wrong turns and a brief detour into a room filled with sheet-covered antique furniture, he finally found one tucked away in a discreet corner.
He peered into the metal chute, its dark depths hinting at the labyrinthine basement below. With a shrug and a mumbled "Sorry, Cindy," he dumped his week's worth of laundry into the abyss. The clothes disappeared with a soft thud, swallowed by the mansion's hidden infrastructure.
Kev returned to his apartment, a mild sense of accomplishment washing over him.
After a leisurely circuit of the grounds, Kev returned inside, a sense of contentment settling over him. He'd enjoyed the solitude, the chance to clear his head and appreciate the natural beauty that surrounded the mansion. The contrast of the quiet, peaceful days and the dangerous nights of this place were extremely jarring.
Kev's stomach grumbled, reminding him of the meager selection of food in his kitchen. He decided to venture inside, hoping to catch Reepia before she left for the night. Perhaps she could spare a few leftovers or suggest something quick and easy he could prepare himself.
The kitchen, usually a bustling hub of activity, was now eerily quiet. A few cleaners diligently mopped the floors, their movements efficient and silent. But the stoves were cold, the ovens dark, and the familiar scent of spices and roasted meats was absent. Reepia, it seemed, had already departed for the day.
Disappointed but not deterred, Kev grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and headed back towards the staircase. As he passed through the main hall, he noticed a commotion near the front entrance. Max, his bushy tail twitching with authority, was directing a group of burly beastmen who were carefully maneuvering a large, heavy object wrapped in protective blankets.
Kev's eyes widened in recognition. It was his player piano!
"Hey, Max," Kev greeted, a smile spreading across his face.
Max turned, a playful grin on his face. "Kev," he acknowledged with a chuckle. "Always giving me more work, aren't you?"
"It's a gift," Kev explained, gesturing towards the piano.
Max laughed heartily. "When Cindy heard about this, she was quite envious," he revealed, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Kev chuckled nervously, remembering Cindy's role in the Pedro incident. "She's free to come up and listen anytime," he offered.
"Is it going in your private billiards room or your apartment?" Max asked, eyeing the bulky instrument.
Kev paused, considering his options. "Bring it up to my apartment, if it's not too much of a hassle," he decided. "If I have it down here, Asmodeus might get jealous."
Max laughed, a deep, hearty sound that echoed through the hall. "Good choice," he said, nodding in approval.
Kev watched in amazement as two of the cleaners, a hippopotamus and an elk, effortlessly lifted the piano and carried it past the staircase, disappearing down a hallway that led deeper into the mansion's labyrinthine interior.
"Those guys are strong," Kev remarked, impressed by their strength and coordination.
"They have to be," Max replied with a shrug. "This place is full of surprises, and you never know what you might have to move around."
Intrigued, Kev followed Max and the cleaners, his curiosity piqued. "Where are we going?" he asked, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
Max chuckled, a sly grin on his face. "You really need to explore more, Kev," he teased. "This place is full of hidden passages and secret rooms."
They continued down the hallway, their footsteps muffled by the thick carpet. They reached a small, unassuming room, its walls lined with shelves filled with cleaning supplies. Max closed the door behind them and slid a hidden panel aside, revealing a series of buttons and levers.
"Hold on tight," Max warned, pressing a button labeled "UP."
The room shuddered, a low hiss filling the air as a hidden mechanism activated. The entire room began to rise, a gentle but steady ascent that left Kev momentarily breathless.
A few moments later, the room came to a stop, and Max slid the panel open once more. They emerged onto the second floor, a familiar hallway stretching out before them.
"A mechanical elevator?" Kev exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise. "That's quite impressive."
Max chuckled, a hint of irony in his voice. "Keeping that old thing running probably costs more than the entire security team's budget," he admitted. "But Fang's got a soft spot for the mansion's original features. He'd rather spend a fortune on repairs than replace it with something modern."
Kev's brow furrowed slightly. "Should I be worried about it breaking?" he asked, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips.
Max shrugged. "It's been holding up so far," he replied with a nonchalant air. "But if it does, just yell. Someone's bound to hear you."
They reached Kev's apartment, and Max stepped back, gesturing towards the open door. "Well, here we are," he said with a smile. "Enjoy your new toy."
Kev thanked Max once again, then stepped into his apartment, the anticipation of seeing the piano in its new home bubbling within him.
Kev's eyes lit up as he took in the sight of the player piano, its polished wood gleaming in the afternoon light. It was even more impressive in person, its intricate carvings and gleaming brass accents a testament to its craftsmanship. He wasted no time in rearranging the furniture, carefully positioning the piano against the wall opposite the windows, where it would bask in the warm glow of the sun.
Max, observing Kev's enthusiasm, chuckled. "Someone will drop off the other music scrolls soon," he assured him. "See ya."
With a final nod, Max and the two cleaners left the apartment, the sound of their footsteps fading down the hallway.
Kev, now alone with his new treasure, eagerly approached the piano. He ran his fingers over the smooth keys, a thrill of anticipation coursing through him. He opened the lid, revealing the intricate mechanism within, its gears and levers a testament to the ingenuity of its creators. After a few moments of exploration, he located the crank and the slot for the music scrolls. He carefully inserted one of the scrolls, its paper perforated with tiny holes, and began to turn the crank.
The piano sprang to life, its keys dancing in a mesmerizing ballet as the music filled the room. Kev closed his eyes, letting the melody wash over him, a smile spreading across his face. It was a beautiful, haunting tune, its notes evoking a sense of longing and nostalgia. He felt a deep connection to the music, a shared understanding of the emotions it conveyed.
As the song ended, Kev opened his eyes, a newfound appreciation for the player piano filling him. It was more than just a piece of furniture; it was a portal to another world, a window into the hearts and minds of its creators. He couldn't wait to explore the other music scrolls, to discover the hidden melodies and stories they held within.