The familiar glow of dawn filtered through Kev's curtains, marking the start of another day in his new, unconventional, probably not a coma-dream, life. He followed his usual morning routine, enjoying a hot shower and brewing a fresh pot of coffee. Dressed in comfortable jeans and a t-shirt, he settled at the small kitchen table, savoring the warmth of his coffee and the quiet solitude of the morning.
As he spread butter on a bagel, a knock echoed through the apartment. Kev opened the door to find Horns, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a weary slump.
"Morning, Kev," Horns mumbled, his voice thick with sleep. He shuffled into the apartment and, without waiting for an invitation, grabbed a glass of water and the bagel from Kev's plate. He then collapsed onto the couch, his massive frame sinking into the cushions with a sigh of relief.
"Thought you were gonna swing by the table last night," Kev remarked, a playful smile on his face.
Horns took a long swig of water, then lit a joint, exhaling a cloud of fragrant smoke. "Got swamped," he explained, his voice though tired, still boomed. "New schedule needs a bit of ironing out. Once the new people are trained, it should be easier." He yawned widely, his eyes heavy-lidded.
Kev poured himself another cup of coffee and sat across from horns on one of the arm chairs Cind had delivered. "Anything exciting happen?" he inquired.
"Not that I've heard," Horns replied, taking a long drag from his joint. "Didn't get out of the back until my shift ended."
"Fang seemed in a good mood, though," Horns continued, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Only did half his normal barking at the staff. Must've been from spending time away from the bar with you."
Kev chuckled, a warmth spreading through him at the thought of Fang vulnerability when they played darts. "Yeah, we had a nice time," he admitted, his gaze drifting towards the window. The sight of the shimmering pool in the backyard sparked an idea.
"Hey, Horns," he said, turning back to the mooseman, "could you maybe grab me a swimsuit while you're out? It's getting pretty hot, and that pool looks awfully inviting."
Horns looked down at Kev, a puzzled frown creasing his brow. "I have no idea what size to get you, kid," he admitted, scratching his head. "You're... well, you're not exactly built like the rest of us."
Kev laughed. "Just something comfortable and... not too revealing," he replied, a playful glint in his eyes.
Horns nodded and slapped his knees. "I'll give it a try," he said, rising from the couch with a groan. "See you later, Kev."
"Have a good sleep, Horns," Kev called out as the mooseman left the apartment.
Kev watched Horns disappear down the hallway, a smile playing on his lips. He was grateful for the mooseman's friendship and support, his easygoing nature a welcome contrast to the intensity of the club's other inhabitants. He couldn't wait to see what kind of swimsuit Horns would bring back, and he was even more excited about the prospect of finally taking a dip in the pool.
Kev, feeling a burst of energy from the morning coffee, set about tidying up his apartment. He cleared the breakfast dishes, wiping down the counters and sweeping the floor. A few strategically placed candles and open windows filled the apartment with a soft, inviting glow and a refreshing breeze. Just then, a knock echoed through the apartment. He glanced at his watch, 7:45 am. He opened the door to find both Cindy and Max standing on the threshold.
Cindy, with her usual air of authority, swept past Kev and headed straight for the kitchen. Kev, accustomed to her assertive nature, simply smiled and turned on the player piano, its cheerful melody filling the apartment with a welcoming ambiance.
He joined Max on the couch, offering a friendly greeting. "Morning, Max. Anything exciting on the agenda today?"
Max chuckled, a sly grin on his face. "Not today, buddy," he replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "At least not until you make some trouble for me."
Just then, Cindy emerged from the kitchen, balancing a tray laden with steaming teacups and a plate of toast. She placed the tray on the coffee table and settled gracefully onto the couch.
"Kev has been improving so quickly," she remarked. "This room is much more... homey now." She glanced around the apartment, her keen eyes taking in every detail. "Still a few things that need attention… but it's a vast improvement from when I first saw it."
Kev took a sip of his tea "I can't be slacking when everyone else works so hard," he replied, his voice filled with a genuine admiration for the club's dedicated staff.
Cindy nodded, a pleased expression on her face. "Since I heard you were willing to wash dishes for Reepia," she said, her voice a soft murmur, "I knew you'd be a good partner for Fang."
Kev's cheeks flushed slightly. "So you heard about that, huh?" he asked.
Cindy nodded again, her eyes twinkling. "Fang is a typical boy," she explained, her voice laced with a maternal warmth. "Likes to roughhouse and play with his toys. He needs someone with a level head like you, someone who can reel him in when he gets carried away. Someone that knows to pick up after themself."
"Don't make it sound so serious, Cindy," Kev protested, a playful lilt in his voice. "Fang and I are still just... good friends."
Cindy rose from the couch. "For how long, though?" she asked, her voice a gentle whisper that lingered in the air even after she left the room.
Kev watched her go, a mix of amusement and warmth filling his chest. Cindy, despite her stern demeanor and no-nonsense attitude, clearly cared deeply for Fang, and her approval meant a lot to Kev.
Max nudged Kev with his elbow as he got up to follow Cindy. "Thanks for the grub, bub."
Kev finished his tea and quickly cleaned up the cups and plates, his movements efficient and practiced. Feeling a creative spark ignite within him, he grabbed his guitar and headed down to the backyard patio. The morning air was cool and crisp, a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the afternoon sun. He settled onto his favorite bench by the pool, the gentle sounds of nature a soothing backdrop as he lit a joint.
He took a long, slow drag, letting the smoke fill his lungs and clear his mind. As the familiar buzz settled in, his fingers danced across the guitar strings, the melodies flowing effortlessly from his fingertips. He played a mix of old favorites and new compositions, his voice blending with the music in a harmonious symphony.
Lost in his own world of sound, Kev didn't notice Talon's approach until the eagleman was standing beside him, his sharp eyes observing Kev with a quiet intensity.
"Good evening, Kev," Talon greeted him, his raspy voice cut through the peaceful ambiance of the garden.
"Hey, Talon," Kev replied, a friendly smile on his face. "What did you and Fang do after I left last night?"
Talon's expression remained stoic, but a hint of weariness lingered in his eyes. "Mr. Fang had me talk with Mr. Lanon," he explained. "We discussed my... altercation with Mr. Vlad." He paused, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his face. "Things have been worked out..."
"That's good," Kev said, nodding in approval. "No need for animosity among the staff."
Kev, recalling more of the previous day, couldn't resist asking about Talon's sister. "How was Sabrina after meeting Fang?"
Talon's expression softened slightly. "Encouraging," he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. "But.. she's already planning a grand escape attempt, I'm sure."
Kev chuckled. "This place will grow on her, don't worry about it too much," he reassured Talon. "Fang seemed to think she was funny. He even offered to get her a new wheelchair."
Talon's eyes widened in surprise. "That's... a blessing," he said, a grateful smile playing on his beak. "She'll be thrilled."
"Where is she now, anyway?" Kev asked.
"She was still asleep when I got ready this morning," Talon replied. "I didn't want to wake her."
Kev nodded in understanding. "Want some coffee?" he offered. "I've got some left over from earlier."
Talon's eyes lit up. "If that's not a problem," he said eagerly. "I haven't had a chance to go grocery shopping yet."
"No problem at all," Kev assured him. "Let's head up to my apartment."
Kev and Talon left the tranquil garden behind and ascended the stairs to Kev's apartment. Once inside, Kev busied himself in the kitchen, reheating the leftover coffee and pouring two steaming mugs. Talon, meanwhile, gravitated towards the couch, drawn to the stack of books on the coffee table. He picked one up, its worn leather cover and faded gold lettering hinting at its age and historical significance, 'A Brief History of Dala'Bon'.
As Kev emerged from the kitchen with the coffee, Talon was already engrossed in the book, his brow furrowed in concentration. Kev smiled softly, pleased to see the eagleman finding a moment of peace amidst the chaos of his new surroundings. He handed Talon a mug, then settled across from him, enjoying the quiet companionship and the warmth of the shared space.
Kev lit a cigarette, the familiar smoke curling lazily towards the ceiling as he relaxed on the chair. Talon, engrossed in his book, seemed oblivious to the world around him, his brow furrowed in concentration.
After finishing his coffee, Kev glanced at his watch. "It's almost eleven," he remarked, breaking the comfortable silence. "Have you ever played any music before, Talon?"
Talon looked up from his book, a puzzled expression on his face. "No," he replied, his voice a low rasp. "Never had the time or the inclination."
Kev chuckled softly. "It's fun," he said, strumming a few chords on his guitar. "A good way to pass the time, and it can be quite therapeutic."
"Interesting," the eagle murmured, his gaze returning to the book.
"I'd be happy to teach you a few chords, if you'd like," Kev offered hopefully.
Talon flipped another page, his focus unwavering. "I'll pass."
Kev sighed, a hint of disappointment. He set his guitar aside and glanced at his watch again. "Do you think Sabrina is up yet?" he asked, changing the subject. "It's almost lunchtime."
"Hard to say," Talon replied with a shrug. "She gets up anywhere between dawn and dusk, depending on how late she stayed up gaming the night before."
Kev stood up, stretching his arms above his head. "Well, we can go see if she wants some lunch," he suggested. "There are no video games here and it's nearly noon, after all."
Talon hesitated for a moment, then nodded reluctantly. "I guess," he mumbled, closing his book and placing it on the coffee table.
Together, they left Kev's apartment and walked down the hallway towards Talon's new home. The mansion was still relatively quiet, the daytime cleaning staff going about their duties with a hushed efficiency.
They reached Talon's door, its freshly painted surface gleaming in the soft light filtering through the windows. Talon took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever awaited them on the other side.
The apartment was eerily quiet as Talon unlocked the door and stepped inside. "She must still be sleeping," he whispered, his voice a low rasp.
Suddenly, a yell echoed from the bathroom. "I'm not sleeping, brother!"
A moment later, Sabrina emerged, her chrome wheelchair gliding smoothly across the newly installed hardwood floors. She was dressed in an oversized t-shirt that reached her mid-thigh, her feathers contrasting sharply with the dark fabric.