Kev grinned at Sabrina. "I don't know how you stay up so late," he said. "I need a coffee to stay up past midnight."
Sabrina scoffed, maneuvering her wheelchair expertly. "I used to wake up when the sun was setting. Nothing interesting happens online during the day."
Kev grinned. "You don't have any idea how boring it was here during the daytime before Talon got hired. There's only so many times I can clean my apartment."
Talon looked up from his book, a flicker of something unreadable in his sharp eyes. "It's peaceful here," he stated, his voice a low rasp.
Sabrina, rolling around the kitchen, inspecting the contents of their newly stocked pantry, cackled. "Careful, brother," she called out, her voice echoing slightly. "Or you might be the next one sleeping with the human."
Kev rolled his eyes and said, "You sound so jealous."
Sabrina wheeled herself back into the living room, a mischievous grin plastered on her face. "I'm not jealous," she declared. "Well, maybe if you finally introduce me to hot tiger guy, I wouldn't be."
Kev laughed. "You can have him."
Talon sighed, setting his book down with a quiet thud. "Don't harass the security team, Sabrina."
Sabrina waved a dismissive hand. "Come on, brother," she chirped. "Maybe we can find you a date too."
Talon scowled. "Spare me."
Sabrina giggled and said, "You're right, brother. I don't think you'd be able to meet Reepia's demands. You're too soft."
Talon raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanging. "Thank you, sister."
Sabrina sighed loudly, throwing her hands up in mock despair. "If you both are going to be so boring, at least tell me you've something to do since we aren't swimming today."
Kev said, "I can teach you guitar if you'd like."
Sabrina looked at Kev, didn't say anything for a moment, then looked back at Talon. "Brother, do you expect me to waste away up here with you two sitting around being so boring?"
"The only people who complain about boredom are usually boring themselves."
Sabrina gasped dramatically. "Shut up, Kev! We don't all have rich boyfriends to fantasize about."
Kev winced playfully. "Ouch! Despite my efforts, he is still just my boss."
Sabrina raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Sure," she chirped. "All sorts of bosses bring their assistants out to private box seats." She turned to Kev, a wide grin plastered on her face. "Or is it a human thing where you're unable to tell when someone wants to mate with you?"
Kev blushed furiously, his gaze dropping to his hands. "I was nearly there a few nights ago," he murmured, his voice barely audible, "when you had to be a third wheel."
Sabrina cackled, spinning her wheelchair in a triumphant circle. "I've got all sorts of wheels!"
Talon finally looked up from his book, his expression stern. "Sabrina, stop bullying Kev."
Sabrina stuck her tongue out at Talon before rolling over to her brother. She began poking Talon on the side of the head, her touch surprisingly insistent. "Come on, brother," she chirped, "think of something for us to do."
Kev did his best to hide a smile as he watched the defeated Talon sit there and be poked in the face by his sister. The eagleman, despite his formidable presence and sharp talons, seemed utterly resigned to Sabrina's playful torment.
Talon sighed, a long, weary sound that spoke volumes. "I did get invited to work out with Mr. Skippy and Mr. Twitch today," he said, his voice a low rasp, clearly hoping this offering would appease his energetic sister.
Sabrina's finger stopped, hovering right next to Talon's feathered cheek. "Skippy and Twitch?" she said, her voice laced with curiosity. "Elaborate."
Kev said, "Oh, that's what you were talking about last night."
Talon nodded and said, "They both have the day off today."
Sabrina looked at Kev questioningly.
Kev said, "They are bouncers for the VIP table. I think you might have seen them when you came down for dinner a few nights ago."
"There were like a thousand people down there."
"A kangaroo and a ferret," Kev said.
Sabrina poked Talon one more time and said, "Fine. I guess it's better than being stuck with you two exclusively for the day."
Kev stood and stretched, saying, "I met them both on my first couple of days, but I don't think I've even talked with Twitch yet."
Talon said, "I would like to learn more about the other security members."
"Any chance they got shoulders like hot tiger guy?"
Kev shook his head, trying to ignore Sabrina, and said, "So is there a workout room in the club that I haven't discovered yet?"
"No, they wanted to work out down at the park. They should be there now since their shift just ended a couple of hours ago."
"The park?" Kev was a bit hesitant since he saw Perry get beat up there just two nights ago. He didn't want to be a buzzkill, though. "The park should be okay," he said, trying to reassure himself as much as the others. "It's Fang's property, just like the club, so it's not like we're really leaving."
"Anything is better than sitting here doing nothing."
Talon sighed and said, "Give me a minute to get changed, and I'll drive us down." Talon headed back into his bedroom to get workout clothes on.
Sabrina turned to Kev, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, Kev," she chirped, "the ferret or the kangaroo?"
Kev laughed, shaking his head. "I don't know what your type is, Sabrina, other than big shoulders."
"Big everything, silly human."
Kev laughed again. "You say that, but you said Horns scared you."
Sabrina giggled, her shoulders shaking. "Big, not giant."
"I don't think there's anyone in the club bigger than Horns."
"How'd that big softy become Fang's right-hand man anyways? He wasn't even that fun to use as a punching bag."
Kev frowned slightly. "Don't be mean to Horns, he's nice."
Sabrina said, "Nice because everyone knows he could squish them."
Kev said, "I don't think Horns would get into a fight unless he was forced to."
Sabrina said, "Well, that's no fun. Guess he can't be going around and one-upping Fang all the time."
Kev was about to respond when Talon re-emerged, now wearing a tee-shirt and shorts. Talon said, "Alright, let's go."
The trio headed out, down the elevator, its quiet hum a contrast to Sabrina's enthusiastic chatter. They reached the garage, its cool, slightly oil-scented air a familiar tang. Kev couldn't help but laugh when his eyes landed on Talon's old and beat-up van, still looking decidedly out of place amongst Fang's classic collection.
"I thought Fang was going to kill someone when Tessa pulled this thing around for our ride to the opera," Kev chuckled, shaking his head at the memory.
Sabrina's eyes widened, her voice a disbelieving squawk. "Wait, Fang rode in old 'Ver-Van-da'?" she exclaimed, gesturing dramatically at the van. "No way! I didn't think someone like him would even get into this beast."
Talon helped Sabrina onto the wheelchair ramp, his movements efficient. "He didn't want to," he confirmed, his voice a dry rasp.
Kev, still laughing, said, "It's a good thing Cindy was there."
Sabrina maneuvered her chair into its spot. "Who's Cindy?" she asked, her head tilting.
Kev and Talon settled into the front seats. As Talon started the van, its engine sputtering to life with a familiar cough, Kev turned back to Sabrina. "Cindy is the head of housekeeping," he explained. "But she's more than that. She practically raised Fang. She's like family to him."
Sabrina's eyes lit up, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Oh, that's so cute," she chirped. "You get along with your future step-mom!"
Kev looked forward and said, "I pity anyone who doesn't get along with Cindy."
Sabrina said, "That's good, I'm glad you're sticking up for your future in-laws." Kev glanced over at Talon, who met his eyes with an equally knowing look, a faint smirk playing on the eagleman's beak.
The ride down to the security checkpoint was quick, the morning sun giving the driveway a unique look, different from the afternoon or night. Talon slowed the van as it approached the checkpoint and rolled down his window.
A large crocodile man, his muscular frame straining the fabric of his tight black tee-shirt, emerged from the checkpoint building. He wore khaki pants, and a large utility belt, laden with keys and a holstered hand-held metal detector, was slung low on his hips. He opened the checkpoint door and walked towards the van, his reptilian eyes sharp and observant.
"Good morning, Mr. Gus."
Gus greeted Talon and leaned down to look in the van. "Good morning, Mr. Kev and Miss Sabrina," he said, his voice a deep, gravelly rumble.
Sabrina chirped from the back, "No need for the formalities, you dirty gator! We are running away, so you better grab my brother before he floors it!"
Talon sighed, "We are just going to the park for a workout today."
Gus chuckled, the sound like rocks tumbling in a riverbed. "Not with Mr. Kev, you're not," he said, his gaze shifting to the human. "Do you think I'll believe you can watch him and your sister all by yourself?"
"Come on, I'm not a prisoner." Kev sighed.
Gus looked at Kev, his reptilian eyes holding a surprising amount of patience. "You're not," he agreed, "but it's also not your neck on the line if Mr. Fang wakes up and wants to know who let his assistant leave the property."
Kev said, "But the park is Fang's property."
"Watch out, Gus! The human's gonna try to run for it!" Sabrina yelled from the back.
Gus gave Sabrina a quizzical look and said, "No matter how many times you do that, I'm not going to attack anyone for no reason."
Sabrina's voice floated forward, "Very good, Gus. Just like I trained you."
Gus shook his head and looked at Talon. "Is there a stronger word than 'feisty'?"
"Idiot."
Sabrina put her hand to her chest in mock offense. "See what happens to a delicate young lady when surrounded by such depraved men!"
Talon, still focused on Gus, said, "Mr. Gus, I won't be the only security member. Mr. Twitch and Mr. Skippy have invited us to the park to work out."
Gus nodded and considered.
"You know, it's not like anyone I've met knows what a human even is, so it's not like anyone's targeting me," Kev murmured.
Sabrina yelled from the back, "They are lying, Mr. Gus! Trying to escape! You better stop them!"
Gus, still looking at Talon, said, "Both Twitch and Skippy will be there?"
Talon nodded.
Gus rubbed his chin, then said, "Shouldn't they be sleeping?"
"It is their day off today."
Gus raised an eyebrow and said, "They wanna stick around here on their days off?"
Talon nodded, "I told them about Mr. Perry, and they seemed to want to see if the park was, uh, exciting."
"Wait here." Gus retrieved a handheld walkie-talkie from the security checkpoint and held it out. "You know how to use this?" he asked Talon.
Talon nodded.
Gus said, "Give me a heads up when you make contact with Skippy and Twitch. Then, if there are any issues, let me know."
Talon grabbed the walkie-talky. "Understood, Mr. Gus."
Before Talon could secure it, Sabrina snatched the walkie-talkie and instantly held down the button, shouting into it, "An eagle and a furless mammal are trying to kidnap me!"
Talon looked at Mr. Gus, his expression a mixture of apology and exasperation. "This is why we need to get her some fresh air," he said, his voice a low rasp.
Sabrina looked up, her eyes wide with feigned innocence. "Hey!"
"I understand, Talon," Gus laughed, the sound deep and rumbling. "You lot have fun, and don't forget to let me know if there are any issues."
Kev said, "Thanks, Gus. We'll be back before lunch anyways."
Gus checked a pocket watch on his keychain. "Make sure you are," he said, his tone still carrying a hint of authority despite his earlier amusement.
Talon said, "We will, Mr. Gus." Gus patted the top of the van as Talon put it into drive.
As the trio drove down the long club entrance into the park, Kev was pleasantly surprised. The park was quite busy during the day. Beastmen and women of all types and species seemed to be enjoying the green spaces. Families with young pups chased balls across open lawns, older couples strolled hand-in-hand along shaded pathways, and groups of friends picnicked under the spreading branches of ancient trees. The air was filled with the happy sounds of laughter, chatter, and the distant melody of a street musician's flute.
Kev looked out the window, taking it all in. "Wow, it's really lively out here," he remarked. He then asked Talon, "Do you know where Skippy and Twitch are going to be?"
Talon, his sharp eyes scanning the various paths and clearings, replied, "Skippy mentioned an area with a field and some benches, not far from the fountain."
Kev said, "I think the fountain is over there," pointing to the left side of the drive. He then gestured to the right. "The cemetery is off on that side."
Talon asked, his voice a low rasp, "Is this near where Mr. Perry was attacked?"
Kev nodded, his gaze sweeping over the seemingly peaceful trees. "It looks different during the day, but it was around here."
Talon said, "Good thing we are in a less conspicuous vehicle today." He pulled the wheel, spinning the car around with surprising agility for the old van, so it faced back towards the club, and then parked it neatly on the side of the club driveway.
Kev stepped out and stretched, the morning sun warming his face and lit a cigarette Talon helped Sabrina out of the back, expertly maneuvering her wheelchair onto the sidewalk.
Kev looked around at the network of paths disappearing into the trees. "Do you guys know the way?" he asked.
Talon said, "The fountain is big. Once we find it, I'm sure we will find Mr. Skippy and Mr. Twitch."
Kev walked alongside Talon as he pushed Sabrina through the park. Unlike the quiet night with Fang and Rex, the paths bustled with activity. After a while, Sabrina looked up at Kev and said, "You're stealing my spotlight, Kev. People are staring at you even more than me."
Kev chuckled and said, "Not really my goal."
"Hey! Look at the human! He has no fur!" The couple that passed them gave Kev and Sabrina disdainful looks before quickly walking on.
Talon sighed, his voice a low rasp. "Sister, don't be antagonizing the nice people."
Sabrina laughed and said, "Come on, we could cover Kev with a sheet and have people pay money for a look at him."
"No thanks," Kev said, trying to keep the amusement in his voice.
Sabrina continued, undeterred. "It would be way more interesting than a magic show or someone playing music."
Kev imagined being a freak in a carnival… all sorts of different beastpeople oohing and awwing at him in a cage. He shook his head. "I've already got a job."
"Sure, what was your job description again?"
Kev ignored her, his gaze sweeping around the park as they walked. His mind, however, was miles away, grappling with the fragments of history he'd pieced together. This sunny, cheerful park, a cemetery for soldiers of a foreign war, Fang's family's ancestral property... A family that had rebelled against their own kind, their own continent. Did those soldiers die here, on this mammal continent, or across some vast ocean on the Unified Continent he'd read about? The questions felt immense, so far removed from the laughing aardvark family they were passing, whose children were tumbling joyfully on the grass. Another thought surfaced: did Fang have relatives? Was his extended family still living on that distant Unified Continent?
Kev tossed his finished cigarette into a nearby trash can just as Talon slowed his pace.
Before them, the park opened up into a grand, sun-drenched plaza, the air alive with a symphony of sounds. At its heart, a magnificent fountain erupted, its multiple tiers sending cascades of sparkling water arcing high into the air, the droplets catching the sunlight like scattered diamonds. The fountain's wide, stone basin was a hub of joyful chaos; children, their fur and feathers slick with water, shrieked with laughter as they splashed each other, their parents watching from the surrounding benches with indulgent smiles.
Numerous paved pathways, like the spokes of a giant wheel, converged on this central plaza, bringing streams of park-goers from all directions. Benches, arranged in semi-circles, faced the mesmerizing dance of the water, offering a place for quiet contemplation or lively conversation. The air was filled with a vibrant mix of yelling, happy chatter, and the diverse melodies of street performers. A lean Tasmanian-devil played a soulful tune on a saxophone, his music weaving through the laughter of a nearby group enjoying a picnic. Further on, a brightly plumed parrot-man was meticulously sketching caricatures, his easel surrounded by an amused gaggle of onlookers. On a wide stretch of lush green lawn to one side, a group of beastpeople, their forms a study in serene focus, moved through yoga poses, their movements fluid and graceful.
Talon's sharp eyes darted around the bustling area, his gaze sweeping methodically over the crowd, past the artists and musicians, before he finally said, "Found them."
Talon cut a straight path through the fountain plaza, his focus unwavering as he navigated the bustling crowd. Kev, caught in his wake, had to execute a few nimble dodges to avoid colliding with preoccupied beastmen. Skippy and Twitch, as promised, were working out not too far from the fountain on a wide, grassy lawn, their chosen spot offering a bit of open space amidst the general park activity.
Sabrina, her eyes already scanning the figures, looked over at Kev and, with a whisper, simply said, "Kangaroo."
Kev coughed to hide a grin, catching her meaning instantly.
Talon waved a hand as they approached. "Mr. Twitch, Mr. Skippy, good morning."
Skippy and Twitch looked different out of their normal black suits. Skippy, the kangaroo, was clad in a pair of loose-fitting, dark grey athletic shorts that showcased his powerful, thickly muscled legs and substantial tail, which lay beside him as he paused in a series of stretches. His broad chest, covered in short, tan fur, was bare, glistening with a light sheen of sweat. He looked a bit tired, the usual stoic lines around his eyes softened, but he offered a wide, friendly grin as they approached.
Twitch, the ferret, was a study in wiry energy. He wore a pair of dark, fitted track pants and a sleeveless, sweat-wicked grey athletic shirt that clung to his long, agile frame. His movements were quick and precise as he went through a series of dynamic stretches, his dark eyes bright and alert, though a slight droop to his whiskers betrayed his own fatigue. He paused, a water bottle in hand, and gave them a cheerful, if slightly breathless, wave. They both looked tired, a subtle weariness in their posture after a long night shift, but there was an undeniable undercurrent of good spirits about them.
Skippy, in his slow and matter-of-fact voice, said, "Welcome."