Day 2 (Part 2) - Coffee and Crime

Kev, mug in hand, made his way back up the stairs to his apartment after pouring a splash of cream in his coffee. The warm coffee felt like a lifeline, its aroma a comforting promise amidst the strangeness of his new surroundings.

He settled into the small living room, taking a seat on the plush couch. The morning light streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on the room. He tore off a piece of bread from a loaf Horns had provided and dipped it into his coffee, savoring the simple pleasure of a quiet breakfast.

Without clocks, he could only estimate the time. Judging by the position of the sun, it must have been close to noon. He'd probably spent a good hour washing dishes in Reepia's chaotic kitchen.

As he finished his coffee, he reached for the small bag of greenery Horns had given him the day before. He carefully rolled a joint, lit it, and inhaled deeply, the smoke filling his lungs with a calming warmth.

Sitting there, bathed in the sunlight, sipping his coffee, and enjoying the gentle buzz of the herb, Kev felt a sense of contentment wash over him. The uncertainties of his situation, the looming questions about his purpose and his place in this world, faded momentarily into the background. For now, he was simply present, enjoying the quiet solitude of his new home.

 An hour passed in a haze of peaceful contemplation. Kev, once again feeling the thoughts of how he wound up in this situation prick at his mind, decided to explore the second floor. The silence of the hallways intrigued him, a stark contrast to the raucous energy that permeated the lower levels. Aside from the occasional cleaner diligently dusting or checking candles, he hadn't encountered another soul.

He wandered aimlessly, his curiosity leading him down one corridor and then another. The mansion's second floor seemed to stretch on endlessly, a labyrinth of rooms and passages. He passed by closed doors, some adorned with ornate carvings, others bearing signs indicating their purpose: "Accounting," "Library," "Private."

Eventually, Kev found himself back at his own apartment, having completed a full circle. As he reached for the doorknob, a sudden commotion caught his attention. A door near the top of the staircase behind him flew open, and a distressed beastwoman, tears streaming down her face, rushed down the stairs. She didn't even seem to notice Kev as she fled down the hallway, her sobs echoing in the otherwise silent corridor.

The door slammed shut behind her, and Kev heard Fang's voice, raised in anger, filtering through the thick wood. He couldn't make out the words, but the tone was unmistakable. A tense silence followed, broken only by the muffled sound of Fang's pacing.

Kev stood there, his hand still on the doorknob, his heart pounding in his chest. The unexpected outburst had shattered the illusion of tranquility he'd experienced earlier, reminding him that even in this seemingly idyllic setting, there were undercurrents of tension and conflict.

Kev hesitated outside Fang's door, unsure of how to proceed. The wolfman's anger had been palpable, and Kev didn't want to intrude on a private matter. But was it part of his duty as Fang's assistant to offer support, even in potentially uncomfortable situations?

He took a step towards the door, his hand raised to knock, when it swung open abruptly. Rex, the imposing tigerman, emerged, a smug grin plastered on his face. "Ah, there you are," he purred, his eyes raking over Kev's form. "Good timing. I just clocked out."

Kev's cheeks flushed, his heart skipping a beat. "I... I just wanted to know what was going on," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "A woman just ran out, crying."

Rex laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that echoed in the hallway. "That bitch deserved it," he said dismissively. "But enough about her. How about you and I head down to the bar for a drink?" His eyes gleamed with a predatory hunger that made Kev's skin crawl.

Before Kev could respond, Fang's voice boomed from inside the room. "Rex, leave him alone!"

Rex merely winked at Kev. "Anytime you want it, little guy," he said with a suggestive smirk, then sauntered down the stairs, his laughter echoing in the hallway.

Kev took a deep breath, steeling himself, and stepped into Fang's office.

Fang's office was a sanctuary of quiet sophistication, a stark contrast to the pulsating energy of the club below. High ceilings, rich wood paneling, and walls lined with leather-bound books exuded an air of refined elegance and intellectual pursuit. A crackling fire in the grand stone fireplace cast a warm, inviting glow on the room, dispelling the lingering shadows of the recent confrontation.

Fang, however, looked anything but composed. His usually impeccable suit was rumpled, his fur slightly disheveled, and his eyes held a weariness that Kev hadn't noticed before. He was seated at a massive wooden desk, its surface littered with papers and half-empty glasses. The sight of Kev seemed to jolt him back to reality. He quickly straightened up, smoothing his fur and adjusting his tie with a practiced hand.

"Kev," he said, rising to his feet with a forced smile. "What brings you here?" His voice, though still carrying a hint of the earlier anger, was carefully modulated, an attempt to project an image of control. "Is everything alright?" He gestured towards a plush armchair by the fireplace, inviting Kev to take a seat.

Kev hesitated for a moment, unsure how to broach the sensitive topic. "I was just... concerned about the yelling," he finally admitted, his voice soft. "I saw a woman run past my room, crying."

Fang's expression darkened, his brow furrowing in displeasure. He sank back into his chair with a heavy sigh, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "She was caught stealing," he explained, his voice laced with a weariness that belied his usual commanding presence. "Rex was here to vouch for the security member who apprehended her."

He leaned back in his chair, his eyes closing briefly as if to ward off a headache. "I haven't had a chance to sleep yet," he confessed, rubbing his temples. "It's been a long night."

A wave of sympathy washed over Kev, seeing the usually stoic wolfman looking so vulnerable. "Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Fang's eyes slowly trailed over Kev's form, lingering on his slender frame and delicate features. A flicker of desire crossed his gaze, quickly replaced by a weary resignation. "No," he finally said, shaking his head. "I just need some sleep." He glanced at the clock on his desk. "We've got five hours until the club opens again. I need to rest while I can."

Kev nodded, understanding. He couldn't imagine running a business as demanding as this nightclub, especially with so little sleep. "Are you sure you don't want anything?" he pressed gently. "A glass of water, maybe? Or some food?"

Fang shook his head again, pushing himself up from his desk and padding over to the plush couch by the fireplace. He stretched out, his large frame dwarfing the furniture. "No, thank you," he mumbled, his voice thick with exhaustion. "Just... could you close the blinds and lock the door on your way out? The light bothers me when I'm trying to sleep."

"Of course," Kev replied, already moving towards the window. "I'll knock on the door when the sun starts going down, so you can wake up before the club opens."

Fang offered a grateful smile. "Thank you, Kev," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. He rolled over onto his side, his back to Kev, and within moments, soft snores filled the room.

Kev quietly closed the blinds, plunging the office into darkness. He locked the door behind him, a sense of responsibility settling over him. Fang, despite his gruff exterior, was clearly carrying a heavy burden. Kev was determined to do whatever he could to lighten that load, even if it was just ensuring the wolfman got a few hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Filled with a sense of purpose, Kev returned to his apartment and spent the next few hours diligently cleaning. He scrubbed the bathroom until it gleamed, polished the furniture until it shone, and even managed to get rid of the faint layer of dust that had clung to the surfaces. By the time he was finished, the apartment looked and felt like a true home, a sanctuary in this unfamiliar world.

Just as he was putting the finishing touches on the living room, Horns reappeared, looking considerably more refreshed than he had earlier that morning. He tossed a stack of books onto the kitchen counter with a cheerful grin. "Here you go, Kev," he said, his voice booming through the apartment. "Some light reading material to keep you entertained."

Kev thanked him, his eyes widening in excitement as he examined the titles. There were books on local history, beastman culture, and even a guide to the flora and fauna of the region. It was exactly what he needed to start understanding this new world.

Horns settled onto the couch, producing another joint from his seemingly endless supply. As Kev continued his cleaning, Horns lit up and took a long, slow drag, exhaling a cloud of fragrant smoke.

"So," Horns began, his voice mellowed by the herb, "how's your day been so far?"

Kev chuckled, shaking his head. "I've learned that I desperately need to figure out how to make coffee without electricity," he admitted. "I don't think Reepia wants me down in the kitchen doing dishes every time I want a cup."

Horns raised an eyebrow, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "You did dishes to get a cup of coffee?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief. "After I left?"

Kev shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, Reepia said I had to prove myself worthy before she'd give me any."

Horns frowned, shaking his head. "I'll have to have a word with her about that," he muttered. "That's no way to treat the boss's new assistant."

Kev waved a dismissive hand. "It's not a big deal," he assured Horns. "I've met a few women like her before. She just wants to test me, see if I'm up for the challenge."

Horns' frown turned into a broad smile. "You're pretty clever for a human," he said, chuckling.

Kev feigned offense, placing a hand over his heart. "I'll have you know, we humans are quite capable," he retorted playfully.

Horns laughed heartily, his booming voice filling the apartment. He leaned back on the couch, his large frame sinking into the cushions. "Well, I'm glad you're taking it all in stride," he said, his tone sincere. "You'll fit in just fine around here."

Kev, feeling a surge of warmth towards the mooseman, offered him some of the food Horns had brought earlier. "Would you like something to eat?" he asked, gesturing towards the kitchen counter.

Horns' eyes lit up. "An apple would be lovely," he said, reaching for the fruit bowl. He took a bite, the crisp sound echoing in the quiet room.

As Horns munched on his apple, Kev couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie with the gentle giant. Despite the initial awkwardness and the challenges he faced in this new world, he was starting to find his footing. And with Horns as his ally, he felt a little less alone.

"Oh, and by the way," Kev added, remembering Fang's earlier request, "Mr. Fang is asleep in his office. We probably shouldn't wake him for another hour or so."

Horns raised a bushy eyebrow. "His office?" he questioned, a hint of amusement in his voice. "He's got a perfectly good bedroom just a few feet away." He shook his head, chuckling. "That wolf likes sleeping on the couch more than his own bed, sometimes."

"Anything else happen while I was gone?" Horns inquired, taking another bite of his apple.

Kev recounted the incident with the woman being caught stealing and subsequently let go. "It seemed to upset Mr. Fang quite a bit," he observed.

Horns sighed, a weary sound escaping his lips. "I'll have to go check the schedule," he said, rising from the couch with a grunt. "Figure out how we are gonna cover her duties." He patted Kev's shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry about it, Kev. Just part of the usual chaos around here."

With a final wave, Horns left the apartment, leaving Kev to his own thoughts once more.

Kev took a final, lingering drag from the joint Horns had left behind, letting the smoke curl slowly from his lips as he savored the calming sensation it brought. He carefully placed the stack of books on his bedside table, his fingers tracing the embossed titles with a sense of anticipation. The prospect of delving into the history and culture of this new world, of unraveling its mysteries and understanding its inhabitants, filled him with a quiet excitement. He made a mental note to choose one to read later, a welcome escape from the whirlwind of events that had consumed his first day.

For now, duty called. The lengthening shadows outside his window served as a silent reminder that it was nearly time to rouse Fang from his slumber. Kev freshened up in the bathroom, the cool water washing away the last vestiges of the day and the lingering scent of smoke. He changed back into the clothes he'd worn the night before, the familiar fabric offering a small comfort in this unfamiliar world.

With a determined nod, Kev left his apartment and made his way down the hallway to Fang's office. The mansion was still enveloped in a hushed stillness, the only sounds the soft creaking of the floorboards beneath his feet and the distant clinking of dishes from the kitchen below. He paused outside Fang's door, his hand hovering over the ornate knob. A wave of nervousness washed over him, a reminder of the power dynamics at play in this new relationship. He took a deep breath, steeling himself, then gently knocked. "Mr. Fang?" he called softly, his voice barely audible above the silence. "It's time to wake up."

A muffled string of obscenities echoed from behind the door, followed by a moment of tense silence. Kev's heart hammered in his chest, a nervous anticipation building within him. Suddenly, the door flew open, revealing Fang, his eyes blazing with anger, his teeth bared in a snarl.